RAMALLAH, March 1, 2011 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Authority and China Tuesday signed an aid agreement worth $5.5 million.

The agreement was signed during a visit of Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming to Ramallah, where he met with President Mahmoud Abbas.

Deming confirmed his country’s commitment to continuously provide support to the Palestinian people to build their national institutions leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

He also briefed Abbas on the results of his talks this morning with Palestinian officials, which focused on ways to develop bilateral relations in the interests of both peoples through enhancing economic and trade cooperation and the flow of trade between them, particularly exports to China, and ways to encourage Chinese companies to invest in Palestine.

Abbas also briefed the Chinese minister on the latest developments in the peace process, and difficulties encountered as a result of the intransigence of the Israeli government and its refusal to halt settlement activity.

T.R./M.A.