The Palestinian issue was at the center of the state visit of the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, to China. During a meeting with President Xi Jinping on Monday (24), in Beijing, the two countries reinforced their defense of the creation of an independent Palestinian State and the two-State solution. Xi put forward four principles for a political way out of the Palestinian issue, while a joint Sino-Jordanian statement defined the two-state solution as “the only path” to a just and lasting peace.
The meeting took place in the midst of the genocide against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israeli authorities and security forces “committed and continue to commit genocide” against Palestinians in the territory. In June of this year, the commission stated that Israel continued to commit genocide and denounced, among other practices, deliberate attacks against Palestinian children.
More than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, according to the territory’s Ministry of Health. The Israeli offensive also caused large-scale destruction of civilian infrastructure, mass displacement and a serious humanitarian crisis. The UN continues to record Palestinian deaths even during the ceasefire.
‘The Palestinian issue is at the heart of Middle East conflicts’
Upon receiving Abdullah II, Xi stated that “the Palestinian issue is at the heart of the Middle East issue”. The Chinese president defended the resumption of negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis and the creation of an independent Palestinian state as a direction towards a political solution.
The first of the four principles presented by Xi is precisely the search for a political solution to the Palestinian issue. The second is that “Palestinians rule Palestine”. Xi advocated that this principle be applied to both the administration of the West Bank and the reconstruction of Gaza after the war. Explaining the Chinese position, he stated: “Palestine is the homeland of all Palestinians.”
The third point is humanitarian. The international community, according to Xi, must act to protect civilians and guarantee the entry of aid. The United Nations Security Council, in particular, “must effectively assume its responsibility to protect the safety of civilians, ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance and put an end to humanitarian catastrophes.”
The fourth principle is the defense of justice and equity, with respect for international law and concrete measures to address the causes and consequences of the conflict and achieve a comprehensive, fair and lasting solution.
The position was reinforced in the joint declaration signed during the visit. China and Jordan advocated the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and supported Palestine’s admission as a full member of the United Nations.
For Gaza, the two countries called for the consolidation of the ceasefire and the immediate, adequate and unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid. They also defended that Palestinians manage their own affairs in the territory and preserve unity between Gaza and the West Bank, in addition to reaffirming the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Aggravated situation
The scale of the crisis helps to define the context of the positions presented by Beijing and Amman. In addition to the tens of thousands of deaths, thousands of Palestinians remain injured and displaced, while hospitals and other essential structures in Gaza have been devastated by the Israeli offensive.
In the West Bank, the situation has also worsened. The joint statement condemned Israeli settlement expansion, land confiscation and settler violence in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. China and Jordan defended respect for international law and United Nations resolutions.
The UN Commission of Inquiry has also documented the rise in settler violence and the displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank, pointing out that these actions are part of a broader process of annexation and displacement of the Palestinian population.
Beijing further reaffirmed its support for the Hashemite Custody exercised by King Abdullah II over Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Abdullah II highlighted the importance of the Chinese position for Arab countries. According to the king, Jordan values Beijing’s position on the Middle East and its support for the Palestinian cause. “China’s fair position is very important for countries in the region,” he said.
The genocide in Gaza is also the subject of a case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice, based on the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The case is still ongoing and should not be confused with the conclusion of the UN Commission of Inquiry: the ICJ has not yet delivered a definitive ruling on the merits of the accusation.
Iran and the regional crisis
The Palestinian issue was not the only regional issue discussed by Xi Jinping and Abdullah II. The two leaders also discussed the war between the United States and Iran and the risks of a new escalation in the Middle East.
Xi said China “has consistently advocated a comprehensive ceasefire and cessation of hostilities” and the resolution of disputes through political and diplomatic means. The Chinese president also defended respect for the sovereignty and security of countries in the region, including Jordan.
In the joint statement, China and Jordan defended the maintenance of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran and called for a “comprehensive solution capable of eliminating the roots of tensions” through dialogue and negotiations.
The two countries also defended the resumption of normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the main maritime routes for international energy transport.
Xi also highlighted Jordan’s “unique and important role” in the Middle East and said China is willing to work with Amman to contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
China and Jordan deepen partnership
The visit marked Abdullah II’s return to China since his last visit to the country in 2015, when the two governments announced the creation of the strategic partnership. Diplomatic relations were established in 1977 and will complete 50 years in 2027.
For Xi, given the changes in the international and regional scenario, a “more substantive and dynamic” China-Jordan relationship corresponds to the expectations of both peoples and follows the movement of countries in the Global South in search of greater cooperation.
The president defended the alignment of development strategies and the expansion of cooperation in economy and trade, infrastructure, transport and mining, as well as areas such as digital economy, artificial intelligence and green energy. He summarized the bilateral relationship by saying: “The cooperation between China and Jordan is essentially mutual benefit and win-win.”
Trade between the two countries reached around US$6.7 billion in 2025, while accumulated Chinese investments in Jordan between 2010 and 2025 exceeded US$3.56 billion.
During the visit, the governments witnessed the signing of agreements and memorandums in the areas of foreign relations, economy and trade, industrial and supply chains and judicial cooperation.
Abdullah II also visited Shanghai and Shenzhen during the trip, on an agenda aimed at expanding economic cooperation. In the aviation area, Royal Jordanian and Air China signed a memorandum to expand commercial and operational cooperation between the two companies.
The joint declaration envisages measures to launch direct flights between China and Jordan as soon as possible, with the aim of facilitating the exchange of people and goods.
Li Qiang advocated deepening cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and in areas such as green development, digital economy and people-to-people exchanges. The prime minister also highlighted Jordan’s contribution to the rapprochement between China and Arab countries.
Abdullah, in turn, highlighted Chinese development and Beijing’s international operations. “I am truly delighted to be back in the People’s Republic of China after my visit in 2015. It is a pleasure to see how your great nation has continued to advance and prosper over the past decade. We deeply value our ties with China and remain firmly committed to expanding cooperation in diverse fields,” he said.
“We deeply respect China for its model of economic development and growth, as well as its leadership on the international stage.” According to Abdullah, the visit demonstrates “our countries’ sincere commitment to advancing relations and mutual development.”
During the meeting, Jordan reaffirmed its adherence to the one-China principle and declared that it considered Taiwan part of Chinese territory. Abdullah also expressed support for Xi’s proposed global initiatives and called for a greater role for China on the international stage.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
