Chinese President Xi Announces $100 Million Aid for Palestine, Stresses "Strategic Autonomy" in Talks with Macron

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced today, Thursday, the provision of $100 million USD in financial aid to Palestine to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support the sector's reconstruction and recovery. The announcement came during his reception of French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing.

Support for Palestine and Strengthening Partnership:

• Palestine: President Xi affirmed that China will work with France to make joint efforts to find a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue as soon as possible.

• Bilateral Relations: Xi stressed that Beijing and Paris must adopt a strategic vision, exercise strategic autonomy, and support the core interests of both countries despite changes in the external environment, thereby safeguarding the political foundation of Sino-French relations.

• Economic Cooperation: Xi called France an "important trading partner," noting bilateral trade reached $68.8 billion in the first ten months of the current year. He urged expanded cooperation in traditional areas (aviation, nuclear energy) and new areas (green and digital economies, AI, bio-medicine), hoping Paris would provide a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese firms.

China's Stance on Regional Crises:

• Ukraine Crisis: The Chinese President reiterated his country's support for all efforts toward a just, lasting, binding, and mutually acceptable peace agreement through dialogue and negotiation, expressing China's firm opposition to any irresponsible action to shift blame onto it.

• Sino-European Relations: Xi stressed that economic and trade relations between China and the EU are capable of achieving "dynamic balance" in development, emphasizing that interdependence is not a risk.

• French Side: President Macron affirmed Paris's interest in relations with Beijing, its commitment to the "One-China principle," and its readiness to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership. He expressed willingness to enhance cooperation in investment, renewable energy, and intensify coordination on upholding multilateralism, combating climate change, and AI governance.

Following the talks, the two Presidents signed cooperation documents in nuclear energy, agricultural products, education, and environment.