Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Israel to halt the forced expansion of settlements in the West Bank and reverse its related actions, according to statements released by his office.
During a face-to-face meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on the sidelines of a conference in Azerbaijan, Wang described the Palestinian issue as the most significant historical injustice of the current century. Beijing remains a firm supporter of the Palestinian cause and maintains that a two-state solution represents the correct pathway forward.
Over recent years, China has increasingly positioned itself as a diplomatic mediator within the Middle East. In 2023, Beijing successfully brokered an agreement to restore diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran following years of animosity. Earlier this year, China joined regional efforts alongside Pakistan to propose a ceasefire concerning conflicts involving Iran.
Regarding the crisis in Gaza, Beijing's diplomatic initiatives have heavily emphasized Palestinian unity. In 2024, Chinese officials hosted rival Palestinian factions that agreed to establish an interim national reconciliation government for the West Bank and Gaza following the conflict with Israel, though that arrangement was never put into practice.
Wang stated that the most pressing priority is to fully open humanitarian access to Gaza and halt the widening humanitarian catastrophe. He added that China stands ready to collaborate with the wider international community to encourage both sides to resume dialogue and pursue a lasting political solution.
Writing in a social media post following the encounter, Herzog noted that he was pleased to meet with Wang and that their discussion centered on bilateral relations alongside the broader regional situation.
Herzog emphasized Israel's aspirations for regional peace alongside pressing security threats, primarily highlighting Iran and its regional proxies. China maintains robust commercial ties with Tehran and serves as the primary purchaser of Iranian oil.
More than a year after an initial ceasefire took effect, residents in Gaza continue to face constant threats from ongoing military strikes, displacement, and severe food insecurity. Despite the cessation of large-scale bombardments, localized strikes have persisted nearly every day, resulting in numerous Palestinian casualties since the ceasefire began in October 2025. Although a U.S.-brokered agreement aimed to end the conflict triggered by the October 2023 Hamas-led attacks, advancement toward subsequent phases of the deal has stalled amid mutual accusations of violations from both Israel and Hamas.