Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed that China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in Beijing on Monday. Xi and visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held official talks amidst Abbas's state visit to China.

The Palestine issue dominated the talks between Xi and Abbas, the first head of state from the Middle East region to visit China after Xi assumed the Chinese presidency in March.

The Palestine issue is the core of the Middle East issue, Xi pointed out.

"The issue, already lasting more than half a century, has brought deep suffering to the Palestinian people and remains an important reason of extended turbulence in the Middle East region," he said.

So long as the legitimate national rights and interests of the Palestinian people can not be restored, peace between Palestine and Israel would not be realized, "let alone peace and stability in the region."

He stressed that the Palestinian issue "should not be neglected at anytime and must be put in an important and noteworthy position."

Xi reiterated that Chinese people's support to Palestinian people "is sincere and hearty." China will, as always, support the just cause of the Palestinian people, he said.

"Despite turns and twists in peace talks between Palestine and Israel, we believe that the dream of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state can come true provided (you) hold the general direction of peace and make unremitting efforts (in your cause)," he told Abbas.

The Palestinian president also stressed that a political solution "remains the best and only way out," adding that his country supported such an option.

Palestine wants to address the issue through peaceful talks on the basis of a two-state solution, he said.

Abbas also urged Israel to observe international pacts, halt settlement building so as to create conditions for resumption of the peace talks.

Palestine is also committed to internal reconciliation and solidarity, he said.

Abbas also spoke highly of China's just stance on the Palestinian issue and hoped China will continue to play its part in the process.

Abbas is in Beijing as guest of Xi from May 5 to 7.

(Xinhua News Agency May 6, 2013)