China says rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah made ‘encouraging progress’ in talks in Beijing

BEIJING (AP) — Representatives of rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah made “encouraging progress” in recent talks in the Chinese capital on promoting reconciliation, China’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian gave few details at a daily briefing, but the meeting in Beijing is China’s latest attempt to position itself as a broker in the Middle East as an alternative to the U.S. and its Western allies, most often seen as backing Israel.

Lin said representatives of the two groups were invited by China and “recently came to Beijing to have an in-depth and candid dialogue on promoting Palestinian reconciliation.” He said they “had discussions on many specific issues and made encouraging progress.”

Hamas has been under siege by Israel in Gaza since launching Oct. 7 attacks in southern Israel, while Fatah’s rule of the West Bank is under severe stress amid an expanding Israeli presence, a morbid economy and widespread accusations of corruption.

“The sides agreed to continue this dialogue process so as to achieve Palestinian solidarity and unity at an early date,” Lin said.

“They highly appreciated China’s firm support for the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights, thanked the Chinese side for its efforts to help strengthen Palestinian internal unity and reached an agreement on ideas for future dialogue,” he said.

Hamas has said for more than 15 years that it could accept a two-state compromise with Israel, but has refused to say it would recognize Israel or renounce its armed fight against it.

For Israel and others, especially in the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, that’s proof that Hamas is still committed to destroying Israel. The United States and