Calling Abbas an “old and good friend” of the Chinese people, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin noted that the Palestinian president would be the first Arab head of state to be hosted by China this year.

China-Palestine relations have maintained a good momentum of growth with stronger political mutual trust and deeper friendship between the two peoples, Wang added at the regular press briefing on Friday.

In April, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Palestinian counterpart that his country is willing to aid peace negotiations.

Qin said China supports the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel as soon as possible on the basis of the “two-state solution,” and is willing to play an active role in this regard.