China says Israel should stop 'forced establishment' of West Bank settlements

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Israel to cease its "forced establishment" of settlements in the West Bank and reverse such actions, according to a statement released by China's foreign ministry. This directive was conveyed during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at a conference in Azerbaijan. Wang emphasized that the Palestinian issue represents "the greatest historical injustice of this century." During the meeting, Wang reiterated China's long-standing support for the Palestinian cause, advocating for a "two-state solution" as the correct path toward resolving the conflict. He highlighted the importance of fully opening access to Gaza to prevent the spread of a "humanitarian catastrophe." Wang expressed willingness to collaborate with the international community to encourage dialogue among the conflicting parties and pursue a political resolution to the ongoing tensions. Wang attended the Seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, as the special representative of President Xi Jinping, according to Xinhua. This summit took place amid broader discussions on regional stability and security in the Middle East. China has been actively engaged in mediating conflicts in the Middle East. In 2023, Beijing facilitated a deal to restore diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia after years of hostility. Earlier this year, China joined efforts with Pakistan to propose a ceasefire in the US-Israel war against Iran. These initiatives reflect Beijing's growing role as a mediator in the region. China's foreign ministry noted that the current focus is on achieving Palestinian unity, particularly in the wake of the war in Gaza. In 2024, Beijing worked to bring rival Palestinian factions together to form an interim "national reconciliation government" for the occupied West Bank and Gaza. However, this initiative did not proceed beyond the planning stage. Wang stressed that the immediate priority is to ensure unrestricted access to Gaza to mitigate the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Despite the cessation of large-scale bombardments, Israel has continued conducting daily airstrikes in Gaza, resulting in over 1,400 Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire began in October 2025. The US-brokered ceasefire marked the first phase of a deal aimed at ending the war in Gaza, which was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023. Progress toward implementing the subsequent phases of the agreement has been stalled, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of breaching the terms of their agreement. China maintains close ties with Iran, serving as its largest buyer of oil. This relationship has persisted despite US sanctions imposed on Iran due to its nuclear program. In September, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a rare visit to Egypt, calling on Middle Eastern nations to resist external influences and reconsider the region's security arrangements. During these talks, both leaders encouraged diplomatic solutions to resolve the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran. In March, China criticized the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, urging an immediate halt to the joint operations. Wang informed Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar that the attacks occurred at a time when negotiations between Washington and Tehran had "made significant progress, including addressing Israel’s security concerns." China has cultivated stronger relationships with Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, while maintaining its status as a major trade partner for both the US and Israel. These diplomatic and economic strategies underscore Beijing's increasing influence in the Middle East.