Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi declared the urgency of global action to quell the Gaza conflict during a meeting with officials from Arab and Muslim majority nations in Beijing, China on Monday. Wang’s opening remarks welcomed counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the Palestinian National Authority, and Indonesia for talks aimed at establishing a ceasefire and preventing further strife. His strong call for an immediate ceasefire was echoed by visiting leaders, amid weeks of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
According to a readout from China’s Foreign Ministry, Wang pointed out that China firmly supports a swift end to the conflict and took issue with Israel’s “collective punishment” of Gaza’s people. He also called for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to prevent a larger crisis from unfolding. This stance puts China at odds with Israel’s staunch defense, citing retaliation against a “barbaric invasion” and rejection of a ceasefire without the return of hostages.
Furthermore, China has been challenging the United States and its approach to the conflict at the United Nations where China holds the rotating presidency. While China succeeded in passing a resolution at the UN Security Council urging the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas, the US and the United Kingdom abstained due to the resolution’s lack of a condemnation of Hamas. The conflict has presented China with an opportunity to strengthen its ties with several countries in the Arab world and bolster its role as a major global power.
China’s active role in seeking a solution to the conflict was evident through the dispatch of a peace envoy for a multi-country tour of the region and the significant discussions led by Wang. Chinese officials have been holding talks with numerous diplomatic representatives but have not included stops in Israel, Palestinian-controlled territories, or Iran.
Meanwhile, visits and discussions between Chinese and US officials have been taking place. While the US views Hamas as a terrorist organization and underscores Israel’s right to retaliate against the group, China refrains from referring to Hamas in its statements, framing the situation as a broader Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Despite the ongoing diplomatic discussions and high-level engagement, concrete outcomes and potential progress toward a resolution remain uncertain.
