Publications

Over the past year, Beijing has taken a distinctly anti-Israel stance; however, recent official statements from China have included messages perceived as more positive toward Israel. These statements have included calls to consider Israel’s security interests alongside refraining from directly condemning Israel’s ground maneuvers in Lebanon, the assassination of Nasrallah, and even its direct attacks on Iran. Nonetheless, the change in Chinese rhetoric is minimal and does not necessarily indicate a shift in Beijing’s policy toward...

The visit to the United States by the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, in September 2024, along with his meeting with US President Joe Biden, was meant to signal a new beginning in relations between the two countries. These relations have been marked by tensions, mainly due to the development of closer ties between Abu Dhabi and Beijing, including cooperation in artificial intelligence through G42, a UAE company. If the understandings reached at the end of the visit regarding AI, among other...

The Xiangshan Forum was held in Beijing in mid-September 2024, showcasing key Chinese concepts, such as the Global South, the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and China’s approach to conflict resolution through dialogue. Whereas China views the Forum as a success, many of the ideas presented were general and reflected a naïve view of the current global reality.

These days mark three years since the inauguration of the Bay Port in Haifa. Even before the port began its commercial operations in late September 2021, and even more so in the subsequent years, the port faced numerous challenges beyond those associated with operating a new port. The port’s operation by an Israeli company owned by a Chinese corporation drew extensive criticism in both Israel and the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic, a complex political reality in Israel, and a multi-front war that Israel encountered in 2023 also...

The “reconciliation meetings” sponsored by China between Palestinian factions, primarily Hamas and Fatah, reflect a new development in Beijing’s approach to the Middle East. Although China is essentially indifferent to the outcomes of the talks and has no direct interest in Palestinian internal reconciliation, the mere existence of the talks is intended to present China as a responsible power and an effective “mediator” that cares about the rights of the Palestinian people. By hosting terrorist organizations in its capital and...

Despite claims that China could help reduce the threat that the Houthi rebels in Yemen pose to maritime traffic in the Red Sea, Beijing has neither condemned these attacks nor has it joined the US-led international coalition against them. China may not be interested in using its influence to help resolve the crisis and may be willing to sustain the economic damage that it is causing. At the same time, the crisis might exemplify the limitations of Chinese influence in the Middle East.

China’s initial view of the current war between Israel and Hamas was that it was no different from past hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians. However, Beijing was wrong and now finds itself in an uncomfortable position. The United States has strengthened its reputation as the provider of defense protection in the region, while China is positioned as a member of the opposite axis – contrary to its desire to be seen as “peace-loving” – and Beijing realizes that it must minimize the damage and repair its image. In order to...

Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to renew their diplomatic relations following talks held in Beijing. Ten days after the signing of that agreement, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Moscow, and his arrival there was seen by many as another possible mediation attempt by China – this time, between Russia and Ukraine. These events suggest that China is interested in positioning itself as an international mediator, against the backdrop of China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI). Even if the events are primarily vague rhetoric and not...

In the last few confrontations between Israel and the Palestinians, China continued to display unqualified support for the Palestinian side. For example, after Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount in early January 2023, China joined the United Arab Emirates in demanding that an urgent discussion be held at the UN Security Council, at which China's ambassador stated, "Israel, in particular, should stop all acts of incitement and provocations." Similar statements were made by China's new Minister of...

“if China has any interest in the Middle East besides economic growth and influence, it’s that”, says Galia Lavi, China researcher at the Tel Aviv Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). “China doesn’t care about individuals, maybe about a very few but not me and you. But China is the leading forces in AI, and they are not dealing with dilemmas that the West is still concerned with, lie privacy.”