Chinese premier meets Palestinian president in bid to up Middle East presence

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, right, receives Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday, June 15, 2023 (Jade Gao/Pool Photo via AP/PA)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday in a drive by Beijing to elevate relations and increase its presence in the Middle East.

Mr Li called Mr Abbas “an old friend of the Chinese people” who has made “important contributions to the promotion of China-Palestinian relations”.