Several Palestinian political leaders have expressed their gratitude for China's latest assistance worth 100 million U.S. dollars to Palestine, describing it as a generous support that expresses humanitarian, moral support and solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday announced China will provide 100 million U.S. dollars in financial aid to Palestine to help ease the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and support post-conflict reconstruction.
It's believed that this assistance package will help improve the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
"This generous support from the Chinese leadership gives a dose of hope to the life of our people who have been subjected to genocide for more than two years under occupation. This is a profound indication that the suffering of the Palestinian people has resonated with our friends in China, and that China cannot stand idly by, but rather stands as a supporter, both materially and politically," said Muwaffaq Matar, a member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council.
Xi also reiterated China's support for the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights and a political settlement of the Palestinian question on the basis of the two-state solution.
"Our gratitude to China extends beyond the financial and humanitarian aspects to the political sphere, as China reaffirmed, through the joint statement between China and France, its support for an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 borders, for a ceasefire and an end to the war in the Gaza Strip, and for the provision of aid," said Helmi Al-Araj, a member of the Political Bureau of Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation for the aid, saying this generous donation reflects the solid friendship between the two countries and their people, as well as China's commitment to justice and fairness.
"President Abbas has conveyed the feelings of all the Palestinian people towards China and its leadership, who have spared no effort in supporting us, especially in this generous financial support, particularly at this time," said Muwaffaq Matar.
"[China's financial support is] welcomed by all the Palestinian people, by the presidency, by all factions, and by all the sons of the Palestinian people. We look forward to a special relationship with China and view this role with historic satisfaction," said Helmi Al-Araj.
Palestinian leaders thank China for humanitarian aid
Officials and business leaders from both China and the United States gathered in Berkeley, California on Friday to discuss the future of trade and investment between China and the San Francisco Bay Area, with many hoping to overcome the recent strain brought by the Trump administration's tariffs.
The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade hosted a business breakfast exchange meeting on Friday morning, with the council's chairman Ren Hongbin sending out a clear message of the vast economic potential which is there to be tapped into.
"The Chinese economy is very much innovation driven. And the strategic emerging industries, such as new energy, new materials, low carbon, aerospace, bio-pharmacy and the low-altitude economy, will generate a trillion-yuan level or even larger markets. So, I think that will provide enormous opportunities and room for China and U.S. companies to cooperate," said Ren.
He further stressed the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing as an example of an event where San Francisco Bay Area companies like NVIDIA and Apple were active participants and direct beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, Chinese Consul General in San Francisco Zhang Jianmin said that against the backdrop of a global economic slowdown, greater cooperation in the innovation sector is now more important than ever.
"The [San Francisco] Bay Area is home to many of the world's top tech companies and offers a sound innovation ecosystem. China has a super big market, rich application scenarios and a complete industrial supporting system. There exists tremendous potential for both sides to have more mutually beneficial cooperation by tapping into their complementary strengths," said Zhang.
Attendees did voice concerns over how the Trump administration's tariffs are impacting business.
With China accounting for nearly 30 percent of the Port of Oakland's total trade volume, the port's executive director Kristi McKenney stressed the need for greater stability and certainty.
"The tariffs in many cases were never actually implemented or were changed before they were implemented. So those linkages are a bit more challenging. I think the bigger issue will be certainty in the economy. And if there's lack of certainty, if we see economic difficulty, then you're going to see job losses," said McKenney.
Oakland's Mayor Barbara Lee said that it is very much business as usual, despite the recent difficulties.
"While we understand the challenges of tariffs, the exports and imports are still continuing, and our port is still a large containerized port doing business with China. And we're going to strengthen that relationship. We may have our differences on issues, on policies, but we here in Oakland understand that we're a global city and we believe the trade brings friendships, brings understanding, and also brings economic benefits to both countries," she said.
Chinese, US officials, business leaders meet in California to deepen mutual understanding
