In brief
In a rare diplomatic exchange at an Azerbaijan conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Israeli President Isaac Herzog that Israel must cease its “forced establishment” of settlements in the West Bank and pursue a two‑state solution. Wang emphasized the Palestinian issue as the era’s greatest injustice and urged full humanitarian access to Gaza amid ongoing strikes. Beijing has been positioning itself as a mediator in Middle East conflicts, having brokered ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia and supporting ceasefire talks. The press notes that Washington’s ceasefire deal remains stalled, while China offers to facilitate dialogue for a lasting political settlement.
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met Israeli President Isaac Herzog at a conference in Azerbaijan and slammed Israel’s recent settlement activity in the West Bank. In a statement, the Beijing diplomat warned that Israel must stop its ‘forced establishment’ of settlements and reverse the moves that undermine the prospect of a two‑state solution.
Wang described the Palestinian question as “the greatest historical injustice of this century,” noting China’s long‑held support for the Palestinian cause and its commitment to a political resolution that would end the occupation and redress grievances of Palestinian communities.
This call comes amid Beijing’s broader strategy to act as a mediator in Middle East disputes. In 2023 the country brokered a deal that restored diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, China joined Pakistan in proposing a ceasefire in the U.S.–Israel‑Iran conflict. Beijing has also worked to bring rival Palestinian factions to a reconciliation government for the West Bank and Gaza, though the plan was never implemented.
During the meeting, Wang pressed for full humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, arguing that continued Israeli strikes and blockade create a humanitarian catastrophe. China offered to coordinate with the international community to revive diplomatic dialogue and “seek a political solution to the conflict.”
In a subsequent X post, Herzog thanked Wang and highlighted the security threats posed by Iran and its proxies—issues that China regards as pivotal to regional stability.
Despite a U.S.‑brokered ceasefire that ended large‑scale Israeli bombardment in October 2025, Gaza remains under a steady threat of strikes, displacement, and food insecurity. More than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since the ceasefire, and the agreement’s next phase has stalled due to mutual accusations of violations.
