China has expressed willingness to facilitate “reconciliation” between rival Palestinian factions after Fatah said its officials would meet in Beijing with Hamas counterparts, AFP reports.

Hamas later said it would be attending talks in the Chinese capital at what it called an “expanded factional meeting” this weekend. “The movement responded with a positive spirit and national responsibility,” official Hossam Badran said in a statement.

Hamas was “keen on achieving national unity worthy of our Palestinian people […] especially in light of the Al-Aqsa Flood battle,” he added, using the group’s name for its October 7 attack on Israel that sparked fighting in Gaza.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing had “always supported all sides in Palestine to achieve reconciliation and unity through dialogue and negotiation”.

China, he said, was “willing to develop dialogue and reconciliation, provide a platform and create opportunities for all sides on the Palestine issue”.

“China is willing to strengthen communication with all parties and work hard to realise the aim of Palestine’s domestic reconciliation,” he added.

Asked about the comments, Beijing said it would “publish information at an appropriate time”.