Interview: Abbas eyes China’s role in peace process with Israel
RAMALLAH, May 3 — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he will
let the Chinese leaders know the barriers currently rooted in
Palestinians’ talks with Israel, as he expects Beijing’s contribution to
the stalled peace process.
Abbas, at his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, told Xinhua
Friday that he will update China’s new leadership about ” where we are”
in the political track in the Middle East, and “what are the obstacles
that block this track and what is the role that some countries like the
United States is to be matched.”
Abbas is set to pay a state visit to China on May 5-7 at the
invitation of Chinese President Xi jinping. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will also visit China as a guest of Premier
Li Keqiang from May 6 to 10.
As Abbas spoke to Xinhua, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson
said Friday that China is willing to offer necessary assistance if the
leaders of Palestine and Israel have the will to meet in China.
“We coordinate all our positions with China all the time. We always
demand from China to keep their positive stances and they do their best
to help as a permanent member in the (UN) Security Council,” said the
Palestinian leader.
On Netanyahu’s simultaneous visit, Abbas said “It is very good that
Netanyahu will visit China too because it is a good opportunity that the
Chinese listen to both of us.”
“Once China as a great country has ties with Israel, we will be
satisfied because China is our friend too and can be influential on all
tracks and levels, mainly the political and economic ones,” said Abbas.
He noted that he will also ask the Chinese leadership “to use its
relationship with Israel to remove the obstacles that obstruct the
Palestinian economy, such as obstacles … (for) Chinese investors who
come to invest in Palestine.”
“There are good economic ties between us and China, which also sends
economic aid. During my visit there, I will ask for establishing joint
projects with China such as (in the field of) clean electricity,” said
Abbas.
Admitting that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) still suffers
from a financial crisis, Abbas said “We have lands and tourism and we
have many things that once they are used we can stop depending on aid
and donations, but unfortunately Israel is obstructing any Palestinian
investment.”
The PNA has a budget deficit of about one billion U.S. dollars due to
the stoppage of international donations and funds as well as Israel’s
refusal to pay the tax revenue dues which represent one third of the PNA
budget.
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