Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says China can play "an important role as a neutral party" in pushing the Middle East peace process.

"China's prestige as a great nation has given it an international leverage and balanced positions," Abbas said in an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday, a day before heading for China to attend the opening of the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

Abbas, who will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao on the sidelines of the May 1 to October 31 international fair, said he would discuss with Hu "issues of common interest, mainly the Middle East issues and the peace process."

Washington has been trying to resume stalled negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, who are reluctant to go back to negotiating table while Israel continues building settlements.

Given the current stalemate, Beijing could play "an important role" in the peace process, Abbas said, adding the Palestinians were aware of China's international standing as a member of the U.N. Security Council.

Meanwhile, Abbas said the relationship between the Palestinian people and the Chinese party "goes back before the establishment of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)" in 1964. "We are keen to boost these ties."

Abbas also said he was "honored" to open Palestine's pavilion at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, owing to "the bigness, greatness and high advantages" of the largest ever exhibition.

More than 190 countries are participating in the expo and nearly 100 leaders are set to attend the opening ceremony.