Representatives from 14 Palestinian factions have signed a declaration aimed at ending divisions and fostering unity after three days of reconciliation talks in Beijing, China announced on Tuesday.
“This meeting, which brought together all 14 factions for reconciliation discussions in Beijing, has offered valuable hope for the distressed Palestinian people,” said Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a regular press briefing.
The declaration commends China’s efforts in supporting the Palestinian people’s rights, ending divisions, and unifying their stance, according to Mao.
“It stresses the need for an internationally sanctioned conference with extensive regional and international participation under the United Nations’ auspices,” Mao stated. “The declaration recognizes that the reconciliation talks showcased a positive and constructive spirit and agrees to achieve national unity among all factions within the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.”
The declaration reaffirms the commitment to establishing an independent State of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital, based on relevant UN resolutions, and ensuring the integrity of Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza, Mao added.
Additionally, the declaration emphasizes the need to form a temporary national reconciliation government, rebuild Gaza, hold general elections, and create a collective mechanism to fully implement the declaration’s provisions, Mao said.
Quoting Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mao noted, “The most significant consensus from the Beijing talks is to achieve reconciliation and unity among the 14 factions.
“The core result is the reaffirmation of the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of all Palestinian people.
“The most notable highlight is the agreement on forming an interim national reconciliation government focused on Gaza’s post-conflict reconstruction, and the strongest call is for the genuine establishment of an independent State of Palestine in line with relevant UN resolutions.”
In response to the Gaza conflict, China has proposed a three-step initiative, Mao stated.
“It calls for promoting a comprehensive and lasting cease-fire in Gaza, ensuring unhindered access for humanitarian aid and rescue, upholding the principle of Palestinian self-governance, collaborating on post-war governance in Gaza, and assisting Palestine in becoming a full UN member and implementing the two-State solution,” she said.
“China views Palestine as a reliable friend and partner. We genuinely hope that Palestinian factions will achieve national unity and independence through internal reconciliation,” Mao concluded.
