Rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah have convened in Beijing for talks aimed at reconciliation, according to Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Tuesday. The dialogue, facilitated by China’s foreign ministry, represents a continued effort by both groups to overcome political rifts that have persisted since 2007, when Hamas ousted Fatah from the Gaza Strip following a violent conflict.
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“The two sides fully expressed their political will to achieve reconciliation through dialogue and consultation, discussed many specific issues, and made positive progress,” he added. “China and Palestine share a traditional friendship. We support Palestinian factions in achieving reconciliation and increasing solidarity through dialogue and consultation. We will continue to work actively towards that end.”
This follows a meeting earlier this year in Moscow, where representatives from both groups and other political factions convened to explore the formation of a unified Palestinian government. The backdrop of these talks is the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where tensions between Israel and Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, continue to affect the region’s stability. The meeting in Beijing is part of China’s broader strategy to assert its influence as a peace broker in international conflicts, particularly in the Middle East.