Ramallah, January 7 (QNA) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met on Wednesday with the Chinese Special Envoy to the Middle East Zhai Jun, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and the latest developments of the Palestinian issue.

During the meeting, the Palestinian President stressed the importance of consolidating the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and moving towards implementing the second phase of the plan, as well as halting Israeli attacks on the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, settlement expansion, settler terrorism, and the withholding of Palestinian funds.

For his part, the Chinese envoy affirmed his country's support for the rights of the Palestinian people and their right to an independent state, noting the continued provision of humanitarian and development assistance to the Palestinian people. (QNA)