The Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, met Israeli President Isaac Herzog on the sidelines of a conference in Azerbaijan and warned Israel to stop its “forced establishment” of settlements in the West Bank and to reverse these actions.
The ‘Palestinian question’ was described by Wang as the “greatest historical injustice of this century” and Beijing reiterated that a two‑state solution remains the correct path forward. China has long supported Palestinian claims, and in recent years it has taken on a mediation role in the region, brokered a diplomatic deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2023, and helped propose a ceasefire in the US‑Israel war over Iran.
Despite Beijing’s diplomatic successes, the war with Israel continues to haunt Gaza. The ceasefire that began in October 2025 has not progressed past its first phase, and daily strikes continue to inflict casualties – more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed, figures verified by the Hamas‑run health ministry and considered reliable by the UN.
China now sees the “immediate priority” as fully opening humanitarian access to Gaza, halting the spread of a catastrophe, and urging the international community to invite both sides back to a political solution. In a related X post, Herzog said he had been “pleased” to meet Wang, noting that the discussion focused on bilateral relations and Middle Eastern stability, while also stressing Israel’s desire for peace and the strategic threats posed by Iran.
The Chinese stance illustrates a broader strategy of balancing ties with Iran, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, while managing its own internal policy critiques over minority regions. As the conflict rages on, Beijing’s mediation pledge offers a potential bridge, but the path to lasting peace remains fraught with stalled negotiations, mutual accusations, and enduring humanitarian crises.
