China signals willingness to boost Israel ties despite strains from Gaza conflict

Foreign Minister Wang Yi tells Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar that the country takes a ‘long-term’ view of the relationship

Reading Time:2 minutes

The meeting between Gideon Saar and Wang Yi was the highest-level direct meeting since the start of the Gaza war. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 4:59pm, 16 Feb 2025Updated: 5:40pm, 16 Feb 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said the country is still willing to work with Israel to improve ties.

Wang made comments in a meeting with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, the highest-level direct talks between the two sides since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.

The war, which began after the Hamas attack on Israel, has put relations under strain with China condemning Israel’s actions and expressing its support for the Palestinian cause and a two-state solution – something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected.

China, however, has maintained close economic ties with Israel since its founding and Israel is among the few developed economies that has taken part in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a transcontinental infrastructure project.

According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang hailed the long friendship between the Chinese and Jewish people, in particular their mutual help during World War II.

“China always views the development of China-Israel relations from a long-term perspective and is willing to work with Israel to advance the development of the China-Israel innovative comprehensive partnership,” Wang said.

The partnership agreement, signed in 2017, was the second one of its kind following a similar deal with Switzerland, and saw the two sides agree to expand technology and trade ties, while Beijing also agreed to invest in Israeli infrastructure.