In the midst of the escalating Israel-Hamas war, a growing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip has captured international attention. In this moment of crisis, China has purported neutrality, calling on both parties to show restraint and urging the international community to work towards achieving a two-state solution – all while quietly and strategically advancing its own interests.
While China’s foreign minister has condemned Israel for its aggressive actions in Gaza, it has turned a blind eye to the aggressive actions of the militant group Hamas. So, it’s clear where China’s allegiance lies. Moreover, China’s censorship allows anti-Semitic content to run rampant on the internet, which underscores the complex geopolitical plays at work in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Scholars and analysts suggest that China’s position on the Israel-Hamas conflict is driven by a desire to challenge American influence in the Arab world. By positioning itself as an impartial yet influential mediator, China seeks to gain ground in a region where the United States has long been the dominant force.
The conflict will be a central topic when U.S. President Biden meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit later this week. For years, the U.S. has been the predominant power broker in the Middle East. But China and Russia have been leveraging alliances with Iran, Syria, and other players typically opposed to U.S. interests in that region. China has seized the Israel-Hamas war as an opportunity to present itself as an alternative to the United States, which has long been the primary mediator in the region.
In addition, China has used its role as the chair of the United Nations Security Council to criticize the U.S. for its position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This posture has helped China score points with the Arab and Muslim world, portraying the U.S. as a biased actor. This strategy signals China’s growing influence in the region and its ambitions to emerge as a powerful global arbiter.
China’s approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict is consistent with its stance on global conflicts. During Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, for example, China assumed a “pro-Russian neutrality,” seemingly backing Russia while not directly engaging in military conflict. In a similar vein, in its current position on the Israel-Hamas conflict, China is adopting an “anti-Western neutrality” and joining forces with Russia in opposing the Western stance on the issue.
Throughout the conflict, China has remained an advocate for peace and has asserted its commitment to international efforts to end the violence. While its stance is aligned with much of the international community’s, there is an undeniable element of self-interest in its approach.
As for the proliferation of anti-Semitic rhetoric in Chinese cyberspace, it appears to echo the Chinese government’s criticism of Israel. However, the government has also emphasized its commitment to preventing the spread of extremist, discriminatory, and violent content online.
Ultimately, China’s strategic positioning serves multiple objectives. On one hand, it emphasizes peace and diplomacy, aligning itself with the international community. On the other hand, it seeks to expand its influence, reshape global politics, and assert itself as a key player in the Middle East and beyond.
While China and the U.S. may have divergent views on the Israel-Hamas conflict, they share common ground in their desire to prevent a larger regional conflict. Both nations have a significant stake in Middle Eastern affairs that transcends conflicting narratives, and it may well be this shared interest that brings them together in finding a lasting solution to the crisis.
