By Mr. Kung Chan
In his first interview on ILTV Israel News in 2025, Chinese Ambassador to Israel, Xiao Junzheng, publicly condemned the Hamas attacks on October 7, calling it “outrageous”. This marks the first time China has issued a clear and official condemnation, signaling a shift in its previous stance on the Hamas issue. However, judging from the live broadcast, Xiao’s interview on Israeli television was not considered successful. During the program, he was openly questioned by the Israeli TV host: Why does China continue to adopt a pro-Hamas stance in the UN Security Council? Her challenge was justified, as the entire world has seen China’s position at the United Nations.
From the perspective of global geopolitics, China’s previous stance on Hamas is indeed open to question. After Hamas attacked Israel and was met with Israeli retaliation, China did not voice its condemnation of Hamas in its statements, which prompted Israel to express its disappointment. Indeed, China’s UN representative also condemned Israel in the UN Security Council. As things stood, China appeared to have successfully positioned itself as a global symbol of anti-Israel sentiment. Then, China has found itself, by siding with Hamas, has become isolated along with Hamas.
It appears that China’s initial diplomatic strategy appears to have lacked thorough studies.
Historically, the Mediterranean region has been a global hotspot, with major world events often linked to this area, from ancient Rome to the present day. Even nations in decline, such as Russia, maintain a military presence in the Mediterranean to ensure their continued involvement in global affairs. To withdraw from this region is to step away from the world stage, making it difficult to retain influence as a global power. The Mediterranean is not merely a political battleground; it is a matter of strategic survival.
China had previously enjoyed strong ties with Israel. Israel was one of the few countries that supported China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the country had made significant investments in Israeli infrastructure, with tens of thousands of Chinese workers involved in construction projects throughout Israel. However, China quickly sacrificed these relationships after the October 7 attacks. When the Israeli ambassador to China sought China’s support, Beijing refused outright. This decision severed the mutual interests that once tied the two nations together.
China’s rapid retreat from the Mediterranean and its increasing isolation from global affairs are striking. It forfeited a critical opportunity to influence international discourse and maintain its role as a global player. The Mediterranean, once a region of strategic importance for China, has now slipped from its grasp.
Could China use economic means to repair its relationship with Israel? This seems highly unlikely. While China once had the opportunity to leverage its BRI investments to solidify its influence in the Mediterranean, that window has effectively closed. The shifting geopolitical landscape, exemplified by Saudi Arabia’s lavish reception of U.S. President Donald Trump and the growing pro-U.S. coalition among Gulf states, makes it clear that China’s influence in the region has dwindled. As a result, China’s voice in the Mediterranean affairs has been significantly diminished, and this trend is likely to persist in the future.
