Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday at a conference in Azerbaijan, where he urged Israel to cease its “forced establishment” of West Bank settlements and reverse existing actions, according to his office.
Wang characterized the Palestinian question as “the greatest historical injustice of this century” and reiterated Beijing’s longstanding support for Palestinian causes and commitment to a two-state solution. China has positioned itself as an active mediator in Middle Eastern conflicts, having brokered a diplomatic agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2023 and participated in ceasefire proposals earlier this year. Wang identified the immediate priority as ensuring full humanitarian access to Gaza and preventing further deterioration of the region’s humanitarian situation.
The Chinese official expressed willingness to cooperate with the international community to encourage the conflicting parties to resume negotiations and pursue a political resolution. Herzog stated in a social media post that he was pleased with the meeting and noted the discussion covered bilateral relations and Middle East developments. He emphasized Israel’s commitment to regional peace while highlighting security concerns related to Iran and affiliated proxy forces.
China maintains substantial economic ties with Iran, serving as its largest crude oil purchaser despite previous US sanctions connected to Iran’s nuclear program. In Gaza, one year into the ceasefire that commenced in October 2025, conditions remain precarious despite the cessation of large-scale bombing campaigns. Israeli military operations have continued at nearly daily intervals, resulting in over 1,400 Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire began. The conflict originated from a Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, and the subsequent ceasefire represented only the first phase of a broader agreement, with implementation of subsequent phases currently stalled amid mutual accusations of agreement violations between Israel and Hamas.
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