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On Tuesday, China reaffirmed its support for Arab efforts to end the Gaza conflict, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, addressed diplomats from Arab states in Beijing, emphasizing access to humanitarian aid and a more stable West Bank. He also advocated for progress toward a two-state solution.
China’s international diplomacy in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute reflects its desire to play a larger leadership role in the region, challenging U.S. support for Israel amid frustrations over the Gaza crisis and the U.S.-backed aid distribution system. Since Israel started its offensive into Gaza in response to Hamas’ October 7 attack in 2023, Beijing has sought to undermine American credibility in the area.
At a high-level meeting hosted by China in November 2023, Arab foreign ministers discussed the Israel-Hamas war, marking an opportunity for Beijing to assert influence when U.S. credibility was strained.
China’s envoy Zhai Jun stated that the Gaza war must be stopped immediately so humanitarian aid can flow freely. He emphasized China’s support for Arab unity and its willingness to work with the international community to promote a just and lasting solution based on the two-state solution.
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In a collective statement, Arab envoys condemned Israel’s violence, blockade, and starvation policies in occupied Palestinian territory and any actions that infringe on Palestinian lands or alter the demographic structure of Palestine. They urged China to continue upholding a just position on the Palestinian question and play a more constructive role, helping Palestinians determine their future.
China and the United States have different positions at the UN regarding blame for the Gaza crisis. Key Gulf and Arab powers may step up efforts to fill the vacuum left by the failed U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Zhai Jun noted that China firmly stands with the Palestinian people and is currently at a critical stage in addressing the Palestinian question.
Ahmed Aboudouh, an associate fellow at Chatham House, wrote: “China has refrained from describing Hamas’ incursion into Israel as a terrorist attack but called Israel’s retaliation ‘collective punishment’ of Palestinian civilians. The ultimate objective is to degrade U.S.’s global standing and win the ‘discourse power’ war by capitalizing on sympathy for Palestinians worldwide.”
