Chinese President Xi Jinping has underscored his country's commitment to supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the 1967 borders. Speaking at the China-Arab Cooperation Forum in Beijing, Xi called for an end to the prolonged suffering of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, which has been enduring Israeli aggression. Highlighting China’s stance, Xi announced that Beijing will provide urgent additional aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
Xi's speech emphasized that the ongoing war cannot continue indefinitely and that justice must prevail. He reiterated China's long-standing support for a two-state solution and stressed that the international community must uphold this principle. China, he said, aims to support post-war reconstruction efforts in Gaza and foster long-term peace and stability in the region.
The forum also saw Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi calling for the international community’s intervention to prevent the forced displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. El-Sisi urged for immediate and sustainable access for humanitarian aid to Gaza, condemning the Israeli siege and advocating for the rights of Palestinians.
Amid escalating violence in Gaza, Xi called for a comprehensive, authoritative, and effective international peace conference to address the conflict. As Xi denounced the tremendous suffering in the Middle East, he reaffirmed China's alignment with the Arab world and the Global South against what he sees as U.S. aggression in the region.
China’s strategic move comes as it seeks to strengthen ties with Middle Eastern countries and position itself as a peacemaker. Xi highlighted the deep sense of affinity shared between China and Arab states, rooted in a history of cooperation along the ancient Silk Road. He expressed China's readiness to enhance financial and technological cooperation and revealed plans for the second Sino-Arab summit in 2026, aiming to create a model for global peace and stability.
- China's call for a two-state solution and ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict aligns with the positions of many Arab countries. This diplomatic stance has resulted in consistent support from the Arab League, reinforcing China’s image as a credible ally in the region.
- Beijing has pledged nearly $70 million to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza, adding to its existing contributions to UNRWA. This signifies China's growing involvement in Middle Eastern humanitarian and diplomatic affairs, despite its traditionally limited influence in the region.
- The ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum saw participation from high-level delegations of 22 Arab states, illustrating the widespread regional support for China's diplomatic initiatives. This includes cooperation agreements in various fields, aiming to amplify their collective voice on the Palestinian issue.
