BEIJING - China on Thursday said it welcomed a reconciliation agreement between the Palestinian movements of Fatah and Hamas.

"China welcomes the agreement on reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas of Palestine, and expects it will help enhance solidarity and coordination among parties in Palestine," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular news briefing on Thursday.

Hong's comments came after Palestinian rivals Fatah and Hamas on Wednesday signed a preliminary agreement on reconciliation during talks in Cairo, paving the way for forming an interim government to prepare for elections.