In brief
In a meeting on the sidelines of an international conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Israel to cease the forced establishment of settlements in the West Bank and to reverse its expansion. Beijing, which has long backed the Palestinian cause and the two‑state solution, called for immediate full access to Gaza and a halt to the humanitarian crisis there. Wang emphasized China’s willingness to mediate and collaborate with the global community to restore dialogue between Israel and Palestinian factions. The warning follows a recent ceasefire that has stalled as both sides accuse each other of violations, leaving Gaza residents under continued threat of strikes.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on the sidelines of an international conference in Azerbaijan. During the face‑to‑face meeting, Wang warned Israel to stop its “forced establishment” of settlements in the West Bank and to reverse any expansion.
“The Palestinian question is the greatest historical injustice of this century,” Wang said, emphasizing China’s long‑standing support for the Palestinian cause and its belief that a two‑state solution is the correct direction.
China has been positioning itself as a mediator in Middle East conflicts. It brokered diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2023 and helped negotiate a ceasefire in the US‑Israel‑Iran war earlier this year.
Beijing’s current focus is on Palestinian unity, having helped form an interim national reconciliation government for the West Bank and Gaza in 2024—though implementation stalled.
Wang highlighted the urgent need to fully open Gaza to humanitarian aid and stop the spread of what he described as a “humanitarian catastrophe.” He invited the international community to work together to restore dialogue and seek a political solution.
Herzog responded via X, expressing pleasure at meeting Wang and noting the discussion on bilateral relations and the Middle East situation. He underscored Israel’s desire for peace amid strategic threats from Iran and its proxies.
Despite a US‑brokered ceasefire that marked the first phase of ending the Gaza war, progress has stalled. Both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the ceasefire terms. While large‑scale bombardment has stopped, Israel continues almost daily strikes in Gaza, resulting in more than 1,400 Palestinian deaths in the year since the ceasefire began on 7 October 2025.
