Since Hamas launched its attack against Israel on October 7, followed by Israeli strikes on Gaza, Beijing has presented itself as a peace advocate. The Chinese government criticized US support for Israel and called for an urgent ceasefire, as well as the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The foreign ministers from Indonesia, together with representatives of four Arab countries, visited China during the weeks after these attacks occurred. Chinese Minister Wang Yi used the delegation’s choice of Beijing as their inaugural destination to validate that
“China follows the role of proponent for Arab Muslim nations and Islamic groups.”
China has not shown significant public support for either side in the Israel-Hamas conflict despite the deaths and injuries of more than ten Chinese nationals during the crisis. In its public relations, China promotes itself by demonstrating support for regional peace, which parallels many non-Western states in backing Palestinian interests. China maintains a restrained stance toward the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on an evaluation of official declarations, operational activities, media coverage, and social media discourse about the Israel-Hamas battle.
How does China support Palestine?
The Chinese authorities have expressed their official position by warning about increasing military tension alongside the human cost of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Beijing maintains that the Israel-Palestine resolution will happen through electing political solutions based on state reforms, yet avoids condemning Hamas’ terrorist activity.
President Xi Jinping gave his initial comments regarding the situation around 14 days following the October 7 attacks when he attended events at the Belt and Road Forum. During his meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in Beijing, Xi Jinping expressed his view that a proper cease-fire needed to become permanent while warning about escalating violence.
At the extraordinary BRICS conference focused on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, President Xi declared that
“only establishing Palestine as a free nation with a two-state solution remains the durable method to resolve the lengthy dispute.”
Wang engaged with representatives from Saudi Arabia as well as Iran and Turkey and Russia, and the United States during his meetings in the beginning phases of the crisis while also speaking to the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority officials. Official documents from these sessions demonstrate how Beijing presented itself to the public throughout the crisis period.
What type of relations are there between China and Israel?
Differences about the Israel-Palestine conflict have negatively affected the formerly strong Chinese-Israeli diplomatic bonds. Chinese authorities defend Palestinian statehood because they believe Israeli settlement projects in the West Bank and East Jerusalem stand as obstacles to peace. They consistently criticize Israeli settlement actions in these areas.
Ties have become fraught due to Israel’s overtures to Taiwan and its subsequent criticism of Chinese policies in Xinjiang. At the same time, China continues to have good relations with Iran and has continued to try to mediate conflicts in the Middle East, including by organizing meetings to facilitate Palestinian reconciliation, to which Israelis are suspiciously responsive.
Both countries have performed US testing and the legal process in good faith.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi approved a statement that said he views the possibilities for sustainable China-Israel relations as comprising creative collaborations. In early 2025, Chinese Special Envoy Zhai Jun made this trip to Israel to discuss bilateral relations and the Gaza ceasefire with Israeli officials. The latest in a line of Chinese appointments of Israeli ambassadors occurring in late 2024 would help define geopolitical tensions exploit the economic partnership’s potential, and hopefully restore confidence between the two states.
Understanding China’s position in the Israel-Palestine conflict?
China no longer opposes Israel in Palestine with such vigor. Nonetheless, the pro-Palestine policies resulting from this historical context persist. China stands behind the two-state solution and argues that Palestinian people need complete help in their national rights battle. In 2019, China established its first high-level government visit of the year when Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Prime Minister, traveled to Beijing as a symbol of Chinese support. During the visit, a strategic relationship between China and Palestine became known.
During the December 2016 Saudi Arabia-based Arab States-China Summit, President Xi Jinping of China made it clear that he supported Palestine in his official welcome speech.
The Chinese government has dedicated considerable resources toward economic investments throughout various Middle Eastern states, with Israel among them. Various investments under the Belt and Road Initiative maintain links to these projects. These included contracts with telecom and energy companies to upgrade data centers, such as the one between Zing Energy of Israel and Huawei. In addition, the mutual reliance of the two nations is determined by several deals worth millions of dollars, such as the $300 million deal between the Chinese enterprises and the Israeli ColorChip company.
China has managed to preserve its commercial links and diplomatic contacts with Israel despite its international backing for Palestine. This is especially remarkable in light of mounting pressure on Israel to reduce its involvement with China from the United States, its security guarantor.
Regional reflections on Global polarization
The Israel-Palestine conflict remains visible since recent events to show that the Middle East region serves as a ground for Chinese and US power competition.
China and Iran, along with Russia, maintain united positions regarding multiple Middle Eastern issues, particularly regarding the Israel-Palestine dispute. China and Russia officially declared their united position on the Palestine issue to work together to establish two states. China conducts regular talks about the present Gaza conflict with Iran due to Iran’s role as one of the nations helping China enhance its Middle Eastern influence along with Russia.
The United Nations has also seen manifestations of this collaboration. A US draft resolution highlighting Israel’s right to self-defense and calling on Iran to stop providing weaponry to extremist groups was vetoed by China and Russia. A ceasefire declaration has also been strongly advocated by China and Russia, who are aware that the US will veto any such proposal because it supports Israel’s attack on Hamas.
The new extensive cooperation between China and the Gulf states will be advanced through China’s involvement with the Palestinian issue. China seeks heightened anti-American perceptions throughout the region by involving Arab nations, from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, together with Iraq, in their ongoing partnership with Russia and Iran. The basic assertion by Wang called for Islamic nations to unite their voice regarding the Palestine issue while strengthening their coordination abilities.
China emphasized the anti-Israel positions taken by Arab nations, whose citizens remain troubled by Palestinian issues because their perspectives match those of Iran. China plans to utilize the Palestine conflict for political purposes to gain support against the United States’ Middle East policies based on its sustained Israel.
Impact of Gaza on Israel-China relationship
China-Israel diplomatic ties showed mutual practicality together with friendly relations until the Gaza crisis emerged, therefore causing their relations to seriously deteriorate. China has aggressively condemned Israeli military actions in Gaza since the Gaza conflict started in October 2023. The Gaza assault serves as collective punishment against Palestinians in the view of Chinese officials, who also condemn Israel for its harsh military action. Israel treated this criticism unfavorably before denoting this development as a major divergence from China’s previous steady approach.
