Palestinian president, Chinese delegation discuss peace drive

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has briefed a delegation of the Chinese Communist Party on the peace process and the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations. During a meeting with the Chinese delegation, Abbas underlined the Palestinian commitment to achieving just and permanent peace through dialogue and negotiations. Abbas said the Israeli determination to proceed with settlement construction undermine all possible chances for achieving peace in the region. He also hailed the Chinese stance supporting the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and putting an end to the Israeli occupation. For his part, the head of the Chinese delegation said that his country voices full readiness to contribute in achieving just peace in the Middle East. China will continue to support the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders, he said.