For neighbors who have drifted apart or who are gripped by inner turmoil, there is a surprising focal point: China. Beijing has stepped forward as a mediator in the Israel-Palestine conflict after recent attempts to calm tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The country has been busy since the pandemic pause, aiming to resolve international disputes and hosting visits from global leaders to the capital.
China, through its foreign minister, Qin Gang, signaled a willingness to sponsor negotiations after speaking separately with representatives from Palestine and Israel. Riyadh al-Maliki and Israel’s Eli Cohen were the preferred interlocutors named in official briefings. Beijing reportedly urged Israel to show political courage to pursue peace talks and indicated a readiness to facilitate those discussions. At first, the government suggested China might take an active role in the process, as reported by state media.
The diplomacy comes amid a surge of tensions tied to arrests and casualties linked to recent Israeli military operations. Saudi officials noted that clashes at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem pose a significant obstacle to peace, and regional dynamics remain delicately balanced as broader strategic currents unfold.
Qin Gang emphasized that China has no stake in taking sides and hopes Israelis and Palestinians can coexist peacefully, thereby sustaining regional stability. Both sides acknowledged the effort, while Cohen warned that resolving the conflict in the near term would be highly complex. Israel also noted China’s growing influence and anticipated Iran’s potential involvement in its nuclear program. Maliki framed the developing relationship with Tehran and Riyadh as evidence of China’s role as a responsible power in the region.
The path of Iran and Saudi Arabia
This breakthrough, which caught many by surprise, marks a turning point as Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic ties after years of direct estrangement. China has largely steered clear of meddling in Middle East affairs for years, a policy that has kept Washington and Moscow closely watching. Both Tehran and Riyadh had previously moved away from the United States and leaned toward China as a practical guarantor of a deal, understanding that Beijing is a major oil buyer and a partner that cannot be ignored. The trend toward Chinese trade relationships continues to grow, reinforcing Beijing’s role in regional economics and politics as trade volumes rise.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains deeply symbolic, historically entrenched, and notoriously intricate. A meaningful resolution would not only alter the region’s fate but also stand as a measure of Beijing’s credibility on the world stage. The long-standing American framework for peace appears increasingly disengaged, with negotiations having stalled for nearly a decade. As China’s posture evolves, it has positioned itself within the chorus of global voices urging restraint and diplomacy, a stance that resonates across capitals. In public statements reported by Xinhua, Chinese officials underscored the importance of a two-state framework and a measured approach to foreign relations as the world watches closely. The discussion also touched on criticisms from various quarters who argued that recognizing Palestinian statehood remains a sensitive and contentious topic in international diplomacy.
China’s involvement extended to the Ukraine conflict as well, where a 12-point peace proposal advocates an immediate ceasefire without preconditions. The plan has drawn varied reactions from Moscow and Kyiv, with Western capitals urging a return to a broader peace process that includes accountability for aggression. Observers note that while the West supports a comprehensive settlement, the path forward requires concessions and coordinated diplomacy from all major players involved in the conflict and its broader regional implications, including Crimea and war-crime considerations.