In his first interview on Israeli television in 2025, Chinese Ambassador to Israel, Xiao Junzheng, publicly condemned the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7. 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 on October 7 and was met with Israeli retaliation, China reacted swiftly, immediately expressing support for Hamas and repeatedly taking the lead in criticizing Israel at the UN Security Council. China appeared to have successfully positioned itself as a global symbol of anti-Israel sentiment. On the surface, this seemed to align with the student movements happening around the world at the time. However, in hindsight, even the Arab countries opposed such an approach. As a result, China has now suddenly found itself as the only country in the world that, by siding with Hamas, has become isolated along with Hamas.
China's initial diplomatic strategy appears to have lacked thorough studies.
The Mediterranean region has always been a global hotspot; those familiar with history understand its importance. Almost all crucial world events throughout history have been tied to the Mediterranean, from ancient Rome to the present day. Therefore, any major power, even one in decline like Russia, will maintain at least a symbolic military presence in the Mediterranean, even amid intense warfare. The reason is to ensure continued attention to and involvement in Mediterranean affairs. To withdraw from the Mediterranean is to withdraw from the center stage of global affairs, making it difficult to retain the status and influence of a world power. This is not merely a matter of which political force wins or loses; it is a question of survival.
Originally, China maintained a very good relationship with Israel. Israel was one of the few countries that supported China on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China had successful port investments in Israel, and tens of thousands of Chinese workers were involved in construction projects there. Yet, China gave all this up far too easily. After the attacks, when the Israeli ambassador to China sought China’s support, China explicitly refused. As a result, the mutual interests that once connected the two countries were severed over a stance taken on the October 7 attack, over Hamas, a fringe organization. China's rapid retreat from the Mediterranean and its withdrawal from global affairs is striking, as it gave up a crucial opportunity to influence and shape international discourse
Is there a chance that China could use economic means to repair its relationship with Israel in the future? In my view, the chances are extremely slim. China once had the opportunity to build on the foundation laid by its BRI investments and expand its influence in the Mediterranean region. However, that window has effectively closed, and China has now lost much of its standing and influence there. One only needs to look at the scale and reception of Saudi Arabia’s welcome for the U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as the emerging pro-U.S. coalition among Gulf states, to see the shifting dynamics. These developments make it clear that China's voice in Mediterranean affairs has been diminished to a minimum. This is likely to be the future’s new reality.
