In brief
In a face‑to‑face meeting in Baku, Chinese FM Wang Yi condemned Israel’s continued settlement activity in the West Bank as a “forced establishment” that undermines the Palestinian right to self‑determination. Beijing, long a supporter of Palestinian cause, called for Israel to reverse these actions and open Gaza to humanitarian aid. Wang also highlighted China’s mediating role in Middle East conflicts, noting recent efforts to broker ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the stalled ceasefire in Gaza. Israel’s president Isaac Herzog greeted the meeting, emphasizing Israel’s pursuit of peace amid regional threats. The debate underscores a global struggle for a lasting solution to the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has asked Israel to stop the ‘forced establishment’ of settlements in the West Bank and to reverse the policy, according to a statement from his office.
The remarks were made during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on the sidelines of a conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. Wang said the “Palestinian question” remains the greatest historical injustice of the century and urged Israel to adhere to a two‑state solution that he says is the “correct direction.”
Beijing has long advocated for Palestinian statehood and has positioned itself as a mediator in regional disputes. In 2023 it brokered diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia after years of hostility, and earlier this year it joined Pakistan in proposing a ceasefire between the United States and Israel over Iran.
Chinese efforts in Gaza focus on Palestinian unity. In 2024 Beijing secured an agreement for an interim “national reconciliation government” between rival Palestinian factions for the West Bank and Gaza, though the plan never materialised.
Wang stressed that the immediate priority is to allow full access to Gaza and halt the humanitarian crisis. He offered China’s willingness to cooperate with the international community to restore dialogue and pursue a political solution.
Herzog posted on X that he was pleased to meet Wang and that the discussion centred on bilateral relations and Middle East affairs. He highlighted Israel’s aspiration for peace and its security concerns about Iran and its proxies.
China maintains close economic ties with Iran, being its largest oil buyer, and has faced accusations of policies that marginalise minority groups in Tibet and Xinjiang. Beijing denies these claims, asserting that its initiatives aim to foster development and stability.
One year into the ceasefire, Gaza remains at the brink of repeated Israeli strikes, displacement, and food insecurity. While large‑scale bombardment has ceased, daily attacks have continued, with over 1,400 Palestinians killed in the year since ceasefire negotiations began in October 2025 according to the Hamas‑run health ministry—figures deemed reliable by the UN.
The U.S.‑brokered ceasefire was meant as the first step to ending the Gaza war, which erupted after a Hamas‑led assault on Israel on 7 October 2023. Progress toward the next phase has stalled, with mutual accusations of violations.
