China announced a new "strategic partnership" with the Palestinian Authority on Wednesday during Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's visit to Beijing. This move signifies China's growing efforts to expand its political and economic influence in the Middle East, a region where it's increasingly vying for influence with the United States.

China's ambitions in the region are multifaceted, encompassing securing energy resources, opening markets for its exports (both military and civilian), and promoting its model of governance as a counterpoint to the Western-led democratic order, in concert with Russia. While Beijing has maintained diplomatic ties with the Palestinian Authority for a considerable period and appointed a special envoy to the region, its involvement has largely been centered around economic activities such as construction and manufacturing.

President Abbas received a formal welcome with full military honors at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed their strong bilateral relationship, emphasizing China's unwavering support for the Palestinian people's pursuit of their national rights. Xi expressed China's willingness to collaborate with Palestine to achieve a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue. He hailed the new strategic partnership as a significant step forward in their bilateral relations.

While the financial specifics of the partnership remain undisclosed, Abbas expressed his administration's eagerness to collaborate with China under this new framework and attract investments. He specifically highlighted the Palestinian Authority's appreciation for China's commitment to financing development projects and expressed hope for the swift deployment of technical teams to implement them. China often leverages such partnerships to enhance its diplomatic standing and provide its corporations with advantages in infrastructure negotiations, aligning with its "Belt and Road Initiative." This initiative, however, has been criticized for leaving many participating nations heavily indebted to Chinese banks.

China is also actively pursuing closer ties with Israel, aiming to further broaden its diplomatic footprint and gain access to advanced technology. This strategic partnership with Palestine follows China's recent success in mediating talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which led to the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two Middle Eastern rivals. This mediation further solidified China's growing influence in the region, particularly as some Gulf Arab states perceive a gradual disengagement of the United States from the area.