Since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7, followed by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, China has sought to position itself as a peace broker. Beijing has sharply criticized U.S. support for Israel, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
In the weeks following the attack, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with counterparts from Indonesia and four Arab nations. The diplomatic delegation’s decision to make Beijing their first stop was seen by Wang as proof that:
“China follows the role of proponent for Arab Muslim nations and Islamic groups.”
Despite more than ten Chinese nationals being killed or wounded during the crisis, Beijing has avoided overt support for either Israel or Hamas. Instead, Chinese statements and public messaging focus on promoting regional stability and peace. This position aligns with many non-Western countries that express solidarity with the Palestinian cause. China has maintained a measured tone in its official statements, actions, and media coverage throughout the Israel-Hamas war.
How does China support Palestine?
China has officially warned against intensifying military confrontations and emphasized the humanitarian toll of the conflict. While Beijing endorses a political solution based on statehood reforms, it has refrained from condemning Hamas’ violence outright.
President Xi Jinping made his first public comments about the situation roughly two weeks after the attacks, during the Belt and Road Forum. In a meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in Beijing, Xi called for a permanent ceasefire and cautioned against escalating violence.
At a special BRICS meeting addressing the conflict, Xi reiterated:
“Only establishing Palestine as a free nation with a two-state solution remains the durable method to resolve the lengthy dispute.”
Wang Yi also held talks with officials from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Russia, and the United States, in addition to speaking with Israeli and Palestinian representatives. These interactions reflect China’s attempt to present itself as a neutral actor willing to mediate.
What type of relations exist between China and Israel?
Chinese-Israeli ties, once robust, have cooled due to their opposing perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. China’s consistent criticism of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has strained diplomatic relations.
Further straining ties are Israel’s warming relationship with Taiwan and its vocal disapproval of China’s policies in Xinjiang. Meanwhile, China continues to retain strong ties with Iran and has hosted meetings aimed at facilitating Palestinian unity, which Israel views with skepticism.
Despite these tensions, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has expressed hope for revitalizing China-Israel cooperation through innovation. In early 2025, Chinese Special Envoy Zhai Jun visited Israel to discuss bilateral relations and the Gaza ceasefire. A new Israeli ambassador is also expected to be appointed by China in late 2024, a move aimed at restoring trust and advancing economic partnerships.
Understanding China’s position in the Israel-Palestine conflict
While China once strongly opposed Israel, it has since softened its stance. However, China continues to back Palestinian rights and supports the two-state solution. In 2019, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Beijing, signaling deepening strategic ties.
At the 2016 Arab States-China Summit in Saudi Arabia, President Xi voiced strong support for Palestinian statehood. China has also devoted significant resources to economic investment across the Middle East, including in Israel. Projects tied to China’s Belt and Road Initiative include partnerships with Israeli tech and energy firms, such as a $300 million deal with Israeli company ColorChip.
China has managed to sustain economic and diplomatic ties with Israel while maintaining vocal support for the Palestinian cause. This balancing act is notable given U.S. pressure on Israel to reduce cooperation with China.
Regional reflections on global polarization
The Middle East has increasingly become a stage for geopolitical competition between China and the United States. Alongside Iran and Russia, China has aligned policies on various regional issues, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
China and Russia have jointly endorsed the two-state solution and hold frequent consultations with Iran on developments in Gaza. They also collaborate at the United Nations, where both countries vetoed a U.S.-backed resolution that affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense and condemned Iranian arms transfers to militant groups. Instead, China and Russia have advocated for an immediate ceasefire, a move the U.S. has blocked due to its support for Israel.
China’s engagement with Arab nations—including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iraq—is part of a broader strategy to counterbalance U.S. influence and foster an anti-American consensus. Wang Yi recently emphasized the importance of Arab and Islamic unity in voicing support for Palestine.
China has also highlighted the strong anti-Israel sentiment in many Arab nations, aligning its positions with regional powers like Iran. Beijing appears poised to use the Palestinian issue as a
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