In brief
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has warned Israel to cease the forced establishment of settlements in the West Bank and to allow full humanitarian access to Gaza. He urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog that the Palestinian question remains the greatest injustice of the century and called for immediate diplomatic engagement. Beijing’s push for a two‑state solution is part of its broader mediation role, including brokered ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia and proposals for a Gaza ceasefire. The ongoing daily strikes and humanitarian crisis underscore the urgency of renewed talks.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has ordered Israel to halt forced settlement construction in the West Bank and to reverse any such actions.
Speaking to President Isaac Herzog at an international gathering in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wang urged Israel to abandon what he described as "the greatest historical injustice of this century" – a reference to the Palestinian question – and to re‑open Gaza to humanitarian aid.
China, which has long championed a two‑state solution, has been stepping into the role of a mediator in the region, brokering ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2023 and recently proposing a ceasefire to end the war in Gaza.
In 2024 Beijing secured an agreement between rival Palestinian groups for a provisional "national reconciliation government", though it never materialised. Now the Beijing government stresses the urgent need for full access to Gaza to prevent a "humanitarian catastrophe".
China is willing to work with the broader international community to restore dialogue and a political resolution to the conflict, Wang told Herzog.
Herzog responded on X that the meeting had focused on both the bilateral relationship and the regional crisis and that Israel remains committed to peace while confronting threats from Iran and its proxies.
While large‑scale bombing in Gaza has eased, daily Israeli strikes continue, killing more than 1,400 Palestinians since the ceasefire began in October 2025, according to Hamas‑run health officials.
The U.S.‑brokered truce was only the first phase of a broader deal, but progress stalled as both sides accuse each other of violations.
China’s growing influence in the Middle East—driven by its role as a major buyer of Iranian oil—adds complexity to the diplomatic landscape.
In the days ahead, China is calling on all parties to resume talks and focus on restoring stability and human rights in the occupied territories.
