China raises Middle East diplomatic ambitions with talks between Hamas and rival Fatah
BEIJING — When Palestinian factions, including senior officials from Hamas and Fatah, meet in Beijing this weekend, it will be the latest attempt at resolving deep divisions between rivals that have long battled each other for control of the West Bank and Gaza.
BEIJING — When Palestinian factions, including senior officials from Hamas and Fatah, meet in Beijing this weekend, it will be the latest attempt at resolving deep divisions between rivals that have long battled each other for control of the West Bank and Gaza.
The meeting will also mark a key — albeit cautious — step by China to pursue a more significant role in Middle East diplomacy. Beijing is not directly involved in the U.S.-led efforts between Israel and Hamas toward a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. However, by hosting Palestinian unity talks, China can present itself as an alternative player in the region with less of a diplomatic gamble.
“There is nothing to lose by hosting such an event,” said Fariz Mehdawi, the Palestinian Authority’s ambassador to China, in an interview with NBC News in Beijing.
“The issue is not why,” he said. “The question for China is: Why not?”
Mehdawi, who has served as the Palestinian ambassador to China since 2016, says China regards Palestinian unity talks as useful groundwork toward its ultimate objective: the prestige of hosting an international peace conference.
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