The establishment of a Palestinian state is fundamental to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Chinese President Xi Jinping said.
“The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is another topic of concern to us. The fundamental solution is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state,” he said in a column for the French publication Figaro.
He said the constant instability in the region is due to, among other things, “the incessant dilution of the two-state solution” and the lack of effective implementation of UN resolutions.
“China and France share views on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We should strengthen cooperation to contribute to the return of peace in the Middle East,” he added.
Xi Jinping arrived in France on Sunday, where he will stay until Wednesday.
The Chinese leader will meet with President Emmanuel Macron and is also scheduled to meet with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who is set to join the two leaders’ talks in Paris, according to EC spokesman Eric Mamer.
The current visit is Xi Jinping’s first trip to France in five years and, according to the French leader’s entourage, “marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and follows the visit of the president of the republic to Beijing in April 2023.”
In addition to France, Xi Jinping will also visit Serbia and Hungary as part of his European tour, which runs from 5-10 May.