Eisa Moradi Afrapoli and Majid Dashtgard
Stimson, Nov. 14, 2023
“China lacks a historic role in the creation of Israel and possesses neither a powerful domestic political lobby in support of the Jewish state nor a military or security commitment to ensure Israel’s survival.”
The Middle East and the world at large were shocked by Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, which killed 1,200 Israelis, including hundreds of civilians. Many countries condemned the attack, but China was not among them. Instead, Beijing called on all parties to “remain calm and exercise restraint.”
Israel was the first state in the Middle East to recognize the People’s Republic of China in 1950, although the countries did not exchange ambassadors until 1992. Since the early 1990s, relations have expanded particularly in the economic sphere. Chinese companies have made significant investments in Israel, upgrading ports and building infrastructure, and China now ranks as Israel’s second-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade, which amounted to just $50 million in 1992, increased to $24.45 billion in 2022.
But these trade and technological ties did not appear to influence China’s reaction to the Hamas attack. Indeed, after Israel retaliated with strikes on Gaza, China called for a cease-fire and expressed sympathy for the Palestinians.
There are three main reasons for China’s response:
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