Introduction -- China and the Middle East: Dual Approach -- The Palestinian Organizations: An Historical Background -- The Pre-1964 Chinese Position on the Palestine Questions -- Part One -- China’s Relations With Shuqayrī’s PLO, 1964–1967 -- China Becomes Committed To The Palestine Question -- A. Expressions of Support for Arab Cause in Palestine -- B. Chinese Reaction to Creation of the PLO -- Establishment Of Ties Between China And The PLO -- A. Shuqayrī’s Visit to Peking -- B. PLO Mission Established in Peking -- C. Shuqayrī Creates a Commotion About Chinese-PLO Links -- D. Discord with the UAR -- E. Chinese Links with Fatḥ -- China’s Influence Over The PLO -- A. Chinese Military Assistance to PLO Begins -- B. PLO Sides with China in the Sino-Soviet Conflict -- C. Arab Criticism of PLO’s Communist Links -- D. Shuqayrī Continues Collaboration with China -- China, The PLO, and the Six-Day War -- A. China Promises “Support” -- B. China Uses the War to Discredit the Soviet Union -- C. Shuqayrī Expects Chinato Rebuild PLA -- Part Two -- China’s Relations With The Fidā’ Iyyūn Movement, 1967–1971 -- China Forges Links With Fatḥ -- A. Dual Linkage with Fatḥ and PLO -- B. China’s Attention to Fatḥ Deepens -- China’s Turning To Overt Ties With Fatḥ-PLO (Summer 1969) -- A. Reactivation of Ties with PLO -- B. Fatḥ Receives Chinese Recognition -- China’s Counteraction Against Soviet Moves Toward The Fidā’iyyūn (Fall 1969 – Spring 1970) -- A. Soviet Moves Annoy China -- B. ‘Arafāt’s visit to Peking -- Heightened Chinese Interest In The Fidā’iyyūn (Summer-Fall 1970) -- A. Chinese Support to Counter American Peace Initiative -- B. Chinese Nominal Involvement in Civil War -- C. PFLP-PDFLP Wing Receives Chinese Attention -- D. Chinese Assistance to aṣ-Ṣā‘iqa -- China’s Disenchantment With The Fidā’iyyūn -- A. Moral Support Against Jordanian “Reactionaries” -- B. China’s Criticism of the Fidā’iyyūn -- C. China’s Support in Decline -- D. China’s Relative Moderation at UN -- Part Three -- The Nature And Extent Of Chinese Military Support -- Arms And Materiai Assistance -- A. Types of Supplies -- B. Local Logistical Problems of Delivery -- C. China’s Internal Limitations and Considerations -- D. Other Negative Aspects of Chinese Aid -- Military And “Political” Training -- A. Training in China -- B. Chinese Training in Arab Countries -- C. Effects of Chinese Training -- D. Chinese “Volunteers”.

This book explores the relations between China and the Palestinian organizations and their development during the period of 1964-1971. It serves as a case study for understanding China’s relations with the Arab world, the superpowers’ competition in the Middle East, and the Arab-Israeli conflict in general. It offers a compelling retrospective on a critical period at a time when the contours of power and peace in the Middle East have shifted dramatically. Highlighting the importance of building bridges of understanding and reconciliation across the Middle East divides, it draws on the author’s long experience of study, research, speaking, and writing about the Arab-Israeli conflict and Jewish-Muslim reconciliation. Dr. Shai Har-El is a scholar, educator, writer, poet, activist, and businessman. He is the founder/president of the Middle East Peace Network (MEPN), and a fellow at the Center for Middle East Studies in University of Chicago. He is the author of several book and essays on the Arab-Israeli conflict.