(JNS) Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will make a “state visit” to China this week.
The invitation was announced by a spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry as Beijing attempts to position itself as a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“[The] president of the state of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas will pay a state visit to China from 13 to 16,” assistant minister of foreign affairs Hua Chunying said.
Abbas will be the “first Arab head of state received by China this year, embodying the high level of China-Palestine good relations, which have traditionally been friendly”, another ministry representative, Wang Wenbin said.
