In brief
In a meeting on the sidelines of an Azerbaijani conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Israeli President Isaac Herzog to stop the forced establishment of settlements in the West Bank and to reverse Israel’s actions, framing the Palestinian question as the greatest historical injustice of the century. Beijing has long championed a two‑state solution and positioned itself as a mediator, having brokered Iranian‑Saudi diplomatic ties and provided ceasefire talks for the Gaza conflict. Wang urged the immediate opening of Gaza to alleviate a growing humanitarian crisis, while China remains a key economic partner of Iran. Israeli officials welcomed the conversation and reiterated concerns over security threats from Iran and its proxies.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Israeli President Isaac Herzog that Israel must stop the forced establishment of settlements in the West Bank and reverse its actions, holding the Palestinian question to be “the greatest historical injustice of the century”.
Beijing has long professed support for a two‑state solution and has taken on a mediating role, having brokered a reunion of Iran and Saudi Arabia and backed ceasefire talks in Gaza over the past year.
Wang called the opening of Gaza and an immediate halt to the inflow of a humanitarian catastrophe “the immediate priority,” adding that China would work with the international community to bring the parties back to dialogue.
Israeli officials said they were pleased to meet Wang and stressed Israel’s desire for peace amid strategic threats from Iran, whose oil remains China’s largest purchase despite U.S. sanctions.
While large‑scale bombardment has stalled, Israeli strikes in Gaza continue almost daily, and over 1,400 Palestinians have died in the ensuing year, even as the ceasefire entered its first anniversary.
The U.S.-brokered pause was intended as the initial phase of a broader Gaza peace deal, but progress has stalled as Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the terms.
