At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Mahmoud Abbas paid a state visit to China from May 17 to 19. On the afternoon of May 18, Hu Jintao and Abbas held formal talks, the two sides had an exchange of opinions on questions of common concerns such as China-Palestine relations and the situation in the Middle East region and achieved a wide-ranging consensus.

Abbas is an old friend of the Chinese people, this is his first China visit paid in the capacity as PNA chairman, therefore it has the significance of serving as a link between the past and the future in the history of friendly exchanges between China and Palestine.

In contemporary and modern history, the Palestinian people, in order to defend their homeland and national rights and interests and strive for national liberation and independence, have carried out extremely hard and bitter struggles, have written heroic and touching chapters, have finally established an autonomous power on their own land and are marching on continuously toward the lofty goal of founding an independent state. After Abbas took charge of the PNA, internally he has actively maintained unity and stability, externally he has persisted in seeking solutions to Palestinian-Israeli disputes through peace talks, thus bringing about the morning twilight of peace between Palestine and Israel.

Friendship between China and Palestine goes back to ancient times. Since relationship was established between China and Palestinian Liberation Organization in 1964, Chinese-Palestinian friendship has withstood the tests of the changeable international situation and changes in the regional situation in different historical periods, which has become more solid as time goes by, and has continuously irradiated with fresh vigor. China is one of the non-Arab countries that was the first to recognize the Palestinian Liberation Organization and consented its request to establish a representative office in Beijing. In the words of Palestinian friends, "China is the only big country that regards the leading member of the Palestinian Office as the ambassador". Extending unswerving support to the just cause of the Palestinian people is China's established policy, the Chinese people are always the trustworthy friends of the Palestinian people.

China values the traditional friendship with the Palestinian people and is willing, on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, to further develop relations of friendship and cooperation with Palestine in various fields. As soon as he arrived in Beijing, Abbas accepted reporters' interview that same night in disregard of his fatigue from the journey, in which he expressed his thanks for China. He said that the Palestinian people would not forget the material aid and moral support provided by the Chinese government and people for the Palestinian cause of struggle for national rights.

The Middle East issue is an important international question involving peace in the region and the world at large, The Arab-Israeli disputes that have continued for over half a century have caused uncountable tragedies of blood and tears to the people of various countries in the region, especially to the Palestinian people, and have seriously held back the pace of economic construction of countries in this region. An early realization of Middle East peace not only represents the common voice and fervent hope of the people of various countries in the region, it is also the requirement of the times and the immediate and long-term interests of various parties concerned. The tide of history is irresistible. Realizing a peaceful solution of the Middle East question and the peaceful coexistence of the two neighboring nations of Palestine and Israel is the inevitable result of the development of history and the progress of the times.

China always supports the Middle East peace process and has played a constructive role in expediting this process. In his talks with Abbas, President Hu Jintao once again expounded China's principled stand regarding the Middle East peace process, and expressed China's willingness, together with the international community, to vigorously promote an early realization of all-round and lasting peace in the Middle East region.

We are convinced that the light of peace will surely shine over the land of the Middle East, and Palestine will certainly enjoy a better future.

Carried on the front page of People's Daily Overseas Edition, May 19, this article is translated by People's Daily Online