China and Palestine sign $5.5 million assistance agreement

China and Palestine sign $5.5 million assistance agreement

2011-03-01 22:58:41 GMT+7 (ICT)

RAMALLAH (BNO NEWS) -- China and the Palestinian Authority on Tuesday signed a $5.5 million in-kind assistance agreement, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The agreement was signed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming during a ceremony in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Abbas praised the strong support given by the Chinese government to the Palestinian people. He also praised the historic relations between the two countries. Abbas and Chen also discussed the stalled peace talks with Israel.

Chen reiterated China's support towards the people and government of Palestine. The Chinese official added that they will encourage the establishment of institutions for the creation of the Palestinian state.

On the other hand, the Palestinian leader blamed the continuing construction of Jewish settlements for the failure to resume peace negotiations with Israel. Abbas reiterated that his government's objective is a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as Palestine's capital.

"The settlement, which is internationally condemned, is the main obstacle before the resumption of the negotiations to end the Israeli occupation," the Palestinian president added.

On February 18, the UN Security Council held a vote on a resolution to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem area. Fourteen Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution but the U.S. voted against it.

The U.S. vote vetoed the resolution as it has the power to block draft resolutions due to being one of the five permanent council members. Prior to the voting, Abbas rejected a compromise offered by the U.S. in exchange for the withdrawal of the draft resolution.

U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton said that the U.S. opposes new Israeli settlements but the UN Security Council resolutions are not the right vehicle for advancing negotiation between Israel and Palestine.

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