Chinese Deputy FM meets with Palestinian leader Abbas in London

Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo met with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday in London during the one-day London Meeting on Supporting the Palestinian Authority, the Chinese embassy in London said.

During the meeting, Dai extended greetings from Chinese President Hu Jintao and Hu's invitation for Abbas to visit China.

Dai said China appreciates Abbas' unremitting efforts aimed to enhance institutional building of the Palestinian National Authority and to resume peace talks between Palestine and Israel in an all-round manner.

He also reiterated that China will continue supporting the Palestinian people's cause and will help Palestine in a wide range of areas.

By the end of 2004, China had provided to Palestine various assistance packages and interest-free loans worth 280 million yuan (33.82 million US dollars).

Abbas asked Dai to remember him to Hu, saying he is expecting to visit China at an early date.

The Palestinian leader said his people appreciate the moral and material assistance China has been giving their nation. Palestine will continue with efforts to promote friendly relations with China, Abbas told Dai.

Abbas also briefed Dai on the latest situation in the Middle East during their talks.

The London meeting took place Tuesday focusing on helping the Palestinian Authority to prepare for Israel's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank and get Palestine ready for eventual statehood.

Abbas, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, foreign ministers and senior officials from 23nations, as well as top envoys from six international organizations including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, attended the meeting.