From S.R.
Ten months of war has changed China's relations with Israel. It has also introduced Taiwan as a firm supporter of the Jewish state. Hmmm.
On another note: We are taking a break as we ponder the future of China in the Middle East, which is well into its third year. We don't know how long this will take or whether we will return. But we will inform you, nonetheless.
He said. She said.
"In spite of the emerging clarity, Israel should not at this stage change its fundamental policy on both sides of the Taiwan Strait."
Israel's premier think tank urges the government not to change its position toward an increasingly hostile China.
Focus
Shifting Alliances
On paper, China's alliance with Israel is over. Beijing has supported the Iranian-sponsored war against the Jewish state, aided such proxies as Hamas and Hizbullah backed the most extreme demands of the Palestinians. China has even fomented anti-Semitism in its own country.
But underneath the surface, Beijing has not shown eagerness to sever diplomatic or economic relations with Israel.
Israel's premier think tank suggests that the Chinese relationship is more nuanced than most think. The Institute for National Security Studies reports a toning down of Beijing's rhetoric against Israel and the introduction of activities by Chinese companies that have helped Israel's war effort.
"Chinese companies operating in Israel also continue, and some have even initiated activities in support of soldiers, the Gaza border communities, and the hostages," the report, titled "Facing Off -- China and Taiwan in the Contexts of the Swords of Iron War," said.
Virtually all of the Chinese condemnations have stemmed from international forums. In contrast, the Chinese embassy in Israel has been silent since the Hamas invasion on Oct. 7, 2023. China’s ambassador to Israel, Cai Run, gave an interview to an Israeli newspaper in February 2024 and failed to mention the Hamas war, particularly the killing of some 1,500 people in Israel on Oct. 7 alone.
Instead, Cai described relations with Israel as "important and fruitful." In late May, the ambassador, responding to Taiwan's newly-elected president, held talks with Israelis meant to delegitimize the island nation.
Since May 2024, Beijing has reduced the vitriol against Israel. In a meeting with his French counterpart, Chinese President Xi Jinping called the Hamas invasion of Israel on Oct. 7 an "attack" and called for the immediate release of "hostages,” terms not used before by the Chinese leadership.
Ten days later, Xi refrained from any condemnation of Israel. In a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xi only agreed to a joint statement that the Palestinian issue must be resolved through a so-called two-state solution.
Economically, China has frozen much of its ties with Israel. Bilateral trade was said to have dropped by 16 percent in 2023. Beijing has also refused to send additional workers to Israel but has not called back the thousands already in the Jewish state. Many of the Chinese have been assigned to construct a light railway network in Tel Aviv.
To maintain goodwill, Chinese companies have made gestures of support for Israel's military and civilian communities. They included purchasing produce from Israeli farms along the Gaza border and donating protective containers to the military.
The reduction in Chinese hostility might be linked to Taiwan's increasing popularity in Israel. Over the last 10 months, Taiwan, which does not maintain formal diplomatic ties, expressed support for Israel, including condemning Hamas, as well as moving to deepen technologies relations.
"By openly backing Israel and explicitly condemning terrorism, Taiwan aims to position itself as a player in the international arena, identifying with Western countries and thus seeking broad recognition and support for its ambitions to participate more actively in international organizations and in the global discourse," the report said.
Still, INSS urges Israel to exhibit restraint with Beijing, Israel's third largest trading partner. The report stressed that China has not turned into an enemy of Israel "and it is essential for Israel to avoid turning it into one." The assumption is that Israel should not recognize Taiwan diplomatically.
"The conduct of China and Taiwan since the October 7 massacre in the context of the Swords of Iron war reflects differences in their interests, objectives, and strategic positions with respect to Israel, the Middle East, and the international arena," the report said. "While China is opposed to Israel and sympathetic to Hamas, Taiwan shows sympathy and support for Israel. In spite of the emerging clarity, Israel should not at this stage change its fundamental policy on both sides of the Taiwan Strait."
Ticker Tape
...Amid tense economic relations, China and Turkey have held a strategic dialogue. The 2024 dialogue was headed by China's Communist Party and Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, in control for more than 20 years. On June 26, Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party, and Efkan Ala, first deputy chairman of the Justice and Development Party, delivered keynote addresses. Liu said his party was ready to accelerate relations with Turkey, including the Belt and Road Initiative and Turkey's Middle Corridor Initiative.
...Beijing has returned to lobby for a solution to a divided Syria. At the United Nations Security Council, China's deputy ambassador, Geng Shuang, criticized Israeli air strikes on Syria and called on the major powers to intervene. Beijing has sought to begin major investments in Syria but has been stymied by violence that persists in much of the country.
...Speaking of Syria, the Chinese embassy has donated Chinese books translated into Arabic and English. The donation was made to the Assad National Library, the largest such public facility in the Arab state. The books deal with Chinese history and culture.
...China has also weighed in on Iran's nuclear program. China's representative to the UN, Fu Cong, told the Security Council on June 24 that Beijing wanted to see the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which would recognize Iran's nuclear program. Fu said JCPA has been "deadlocked" but did not elaborate. The envoy also called for the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Iran.
...Jordan has a four-lane highway built by China. The highway links the district of Ardha to Salt, located near Amman, and was said to save two hours from the Jordan Valley to the capital of the Hashemite kingdom. Beijing repaired and expanded the mountain road, used by rural communities as well as tourist vehicles from the Jordan Valley, the main supplier of produce. The project, led by China First Highway Engineering, stemmed from an agreement between China and Jordan in 2018.