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Middle East
ChinaDiplomacy

Why China’s strong words for Israel on Palestine issue are unlikely to be backed up with action

  • From new Foreign Minister Qin Gang to EU envoy Fu Cong, China has ramped up the rhetoric on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
  • But Beijing has invested little political capital in the issue, being more keen to burnish its image and shore up economic ties in the region, experts say

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Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has urged Israel to stop provocations that worsen the Palestinian issue. Photo: AFP
Kawala Xie
China may continue to be vocal on the Palestine issue to preserve its image as a “responsible stakeholder” as it vies with the US for influence in the Middle East, but its approach is seen as likely to remain obscure and distant, observers say.
The assessment comes as China’s new Foreign Minister Qin Gang urged Israel to stop provocations that worsen the Palestinian issue.

Qin made the call during his five-nation tour of Africa last week – his first trip abroad since taking office in December. While Qin’s trip focused on reaffirming ties with Africa, the Palestine issue arose when he met Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, who called for the issue to be prioritised in the international agenda.

02:36

Chinese foreign minister shores up ties with Arab League on final stop of Africa tour

Chinese foreign minister shores up ties with Arab League on final stop of Africa tour

Israeli-Palestinian tensions have escalated this month since far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited a sensitive Jerusalem holy site.

China and the United Arab Emirates responded by calling for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

Doubling down on Chinese representative Zhang Jun’s statements at the UN meeting, Qin urged Israel to immediately “stop all incitement” that might aggravate the situation, while reiterating Beijing’s support for the “two-state solution” – involving an independent Palestinian state and the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel.

“Major countries with influence” were responsible for this solution, Qin added.

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