High-level representatives from 14 Palestinian factions held a reconciliation dialogue from July 21 to 23, 2024 at the invitation of China. Photo: VCG

High-level representatives from 14 Palestinian factions held a reconciliation dialogue from Sunday to Tuesday at the invitation of China and signed the Beijing Declaration on ending division and strengthening Palestinian unity. 

This marks the first time that representatives from 14 Palestinian factions have gathered in Beijing for reconciliation dialogue, bringing valuable hope to the long-suffering Palestinian people, Mao Ning, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said at a press conference on Tuesday. 

The declaration appreciates China's sincere efforts to support Palestinian rights, ending division, and unifying Palestinian positions. It emphasizes the need to convene a broad and fully authorized international conference under the auspices of the UN, with regional and international participation, the spokesperson said. 

The dialogue in Beijing also demonstrated a positive and constructive spirit, agreeing to achieve comprehensive national unity under the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. 

It calls for establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, based on relevant UN resolutions, maintaining the territorial integrity of Palestine, including the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza.

The declaration also states that a temporary national reconciliation government will be formed according to the consensus of Palestinian factions and the current Basic Law of the Palestine, to undertake Gaza reconstruction and prepare for general elections as soon as possible in accordance with the adopted electoral law. 

It also emphasizes taking practical steps to form a new national council according to adopted electoral law, unanimously agreeing to activate the temporary unified leadership framework and operate it institutionally for joint political decision-making, and establishing a collective mechanism to fully implement the declaration's provisions, with a clear timetable for implementation.

As Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated in his speech, the most important consensus of this dialogue is achieving grand reconciliation and unity among all 14 factions. The core outcome is the clear recognition that the PLO is the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. 

The most notable highlight is the consensus reached on post-war governance in Gaza and the formation of a temporary national reconciliation government. The strongest call is for the genuine establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on relevant UN resolutions, the spokesperson said.

Wang also proposed a "three-step" initiative in response to the current Gaza conflict. 

The first step is to achieve a comprehensive, lasting, and sustainable cease-fire in Gaza as soon as possible, ensuring smooth access to humanitarian aid and relief. 

The second step is to jointly promote post-war governance in Gaza, adhering to the principle of "Palestinians governing Palestinians." 

The third step is to push for Palestine to become a full member of the United Nations and begin implementing the "two-state solution." These three steps are interlinked and indispensable.

China and Palestine are mutually trusted brothers and good partners. China sincerely hopes that Palestinian factions will achieve national unity and independence on the basis of internal reconciliation at an early date. We will continue to make unremitting efforts together with all relevant parties to this end, the spokesperson said.