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On February 29, 2024, the head of Hamas's political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, met with Cao Xiaolin, China's Ambassador to Qatar, in Doha.
Hamas, China Discuss War In Gaza, China's Position On UN Security Council
According to a statement released by Hamas on Telegram,[1] the two officials primarily discussed "political and field developments related to the situation in the Gaza strip," as well as ways to stop the war and to deliver urgent aid and relief to the Palestinian people.
For his part, Haniyeh reportedly stressed the necessity of quickly stopping what he called "the aggression" and the need for the "withdrawal of the army of the occupation." He also highlighted the "political goals and aspirations of establishing an independent and fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital and with the right of return and self-determination."
Haniyeh also expressed his pride in the "close relationship" between the Palestinian and Chinese peoples, and praised the role China plays in the United Nations and on the Security Council, as well as its sending of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, according to the statement.
[1] Telegram, February 29, 2024.
