Middle East Archives - Friends of Socialist China

Chinese representative voices support for the just cause of the Palestinian people at UN Human Rights Council

China has taken the opportunity of the ongoing 61^st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland to affirm that it will continue to firmly support the just cause of the Palestinian people and work tirelessly for the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Speaking in the general debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories, on March 24, Ambassador Jia Guide, Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organisations in Switzerland, said:

“The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deteriorated to an unprecedented level, and their [the Palestinian people’s] human rights have been grossly violated. Israel has put forward a plan to annex 82 percent of the West Bank, continued to expand settlements, connived at settler violence, and launched attacks against Lebanon and Syria, all of which constitute serious violations of international law and relevant Human Rights Council resolutions.”

The following article was originally published on the website of China’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organisations in Switzerland.

On 24 March 2026, the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held the general debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories. Ambassador Jia Guide, Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organizations in Switzerland, attended the meeting and elaborated on China’s position.

Ambassador Jia Guide pointed out that the situation in the Middle East remains turbulent and the suffering of the Palestinian people is alarming. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deteriorated to an unprecedented level, and their human rights have been grossly violated. Israel has put forward a plan to annex 82 percent of the West Bank, continued to expand settlements, connived at settler violence, and launched attacks against Lebanon and Syria, all of which constitute serious violations of international law and relevant Human Rights Council resolutions.

Ambassador Jia stressed that humanitarian access must be restored, a durable ceasefire in Gaza must be achieved, settlement activities must be curbed, and the two-state solution must be implemented. Israel should immediately withdraw from Lebanese and Syrian territories. China will continue to firmly support the just cause of the Palestinian people and work tirelessly for the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Narratives seeking to smear China by exploiting the US-Israel-Iran conflict should stop

As the criminal US-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, a new front has opened in the information space. Alongside the bombs and missiles, a set of coordinated Western narratives has emerged targeting China: claiming that Beijing has suffered a strategic failure, that it bears some responsibility for the conflict, or that it hopes to benefit in some way from the carnage. The following editorial from Global Times systematically dismantles all three claims.

The reality is straightforward. China is not a party to this conflict. It did not authorise it, did not seek it, and has nothing to gain from it. What China has done is speak up clearly for international law, denounce illegal aggression, dispatch its special envoy to the region, call for respect for Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and provide emergency humanitarian assistance to the civilian victims of the war – including the 175 killed in the US bombing of a girls’ school in Minab. As the editorial puts it with blunt precision: “Aside from the Western military-industrial complex profiting from arms sales, there are no winners in this war.”

These narratives targeting China are designed to shift blame, suppress calls for peace, and provide cover for aggression.

The military conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran has entered its third week, with the situation remaining complex and tense. Without authorization from the UN Security Council, the US and Israel launched attacks and killed Iran’s supreme leader, deliberately provoking a war against Iran. China is not a party to this conflict. However, some Western narratives have seized the opportunity to fabricate claims aimed at discrediting China. These narratives broadly fall into three categories: the so-called “China failure” narrative, the “China responsibility” narrative, and the “China winner” narrative. Such absurd claims are driven by ulterior motives and thinly veiled political self-interest.

The so-called “China failure” narrative hypes that China’s strategy of turning Iran into a key regional pillar is on the verge of collapse. The facts are clear: China has never been involved in this conflict, nor has it bet on any side. The conflict is the result of unilateral military actions by the US and Israel and has nothing to do with China’s diplomatic or economic strategies. China has actively expanded exchanges and cooperation with various countries including the Middle Eastern states based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. It does not engage in military alliances, bloc confrontation, or proxy wars. Its influence in the Middle East is built on deep and extensive cooperation, which gives it resilience even amid conflict. Where, then, is the so-called “strategic failure”?

Such claims merely reflect a power-politics mind-set obsessed with staking out spheres of influence, one that fails to understand the values of peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit in China’s foreign policy.

China affirms Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and pledges humanitarian assistance

China’s Ambassador to the United Nations Fu Cong made an important statement on his country’s position at a March 13 United Nations Security Council briefing on the Iranian nuclear issue.

Fu began by stating that: “China has just stated its position about the 1737 Committee and its opposition to this meeting and does not intend to comment on the work of the Committee itself. However, as a member of the Security Council, China wishes to emphasise the following points regarding the current situation surrounding the Iranian nuclear issue and the way forward.”

The 1737 Committee was established following the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1737 on December 23, 2006, which imposed sanctions on Iran.

Having stated this principled opposition, Fu made four key points as follow:

The use of force is not the right way to resolve international disputes. Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected. The United States and Israel should immediately stop their military operations, refrain from attacking Iranian nuclear facilities under IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards, avoid further escalation, and prevent the conflict from spreading across the entire Middle East.

The Iranian nuclear issue should ultimately return to the track of a political and diplomatic solution. It was the United States unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) that triggered the Iranian nuclear crisis. The United States has also disregarded its own credibility and, together with Israel, twice resorted to the use of force against Iran during the negotiations, causing diplomatic efforts to collapse. Regarding the root cause of the Iranian nuclear crisis, the United States actions violate international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China strongly condemns this. Relevant European countries should stop fuelling tensions and instead play a constructive role in easing the situation.

Fairness and justice must be upheld, and Iran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, as a State Party to the Treaty on the NPT (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty), must be effectively protected. Iran has repeatedly reaffirmed that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons. Even after its nuclear facilities were attacked, Iran has continued cooperating with the IAEA and engaged in multiple rounds of professional and pragmatic talks with the United States in a constructive spirit. Iran’s sincerity should be taken seriously.

Any action by the Security Council should be aimed at easing tensions and preserving long-term peace and stability in the Middle East. It must be fair and impartial, and must not become a tool for sanctions, pressure, or the political agenda of any individual state. The Security Council should help build trust among parties, bridge differences, and create favourable conditions for the resumption of negotiations, ensuring that the dialogue process can proceed smoothly and effectively in an environment free from the threat of force. Relevant countries should stop engaging in political manipulation at the Security Council.

Meanwhile, on March 17, at a regular press conference in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that China has decided to offer emergency humanitarian assistance to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq in the hope of easing the humanitarian plight faced by local people.

CGTN, China’s foreign language television service, put the following question to Lin:

China extends support to bereaved parents of Iranian schoolgirls

Following the bestial war crime committed by the United States on February 28, when it murdered at least 175 civilians, the overwhelming majority of them young schoolgirls, in its missile attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in the southern Iranian town of Minab, the Red Cross Society of China has decided to provide the Red Crescent Society of Iran with US$200,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance as special funds to support the bereaved parents.

Announcing the measure at the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s March 13 press conference in Beijing, in response to a question from the Beijing Youth Daily, spokesperson Guo Jiakun added:

“China stands ready to continue providing necessary assistance to Iran in a humanitarian spirit to help the Iranian people get through this difficult time.”

Their exchange reads as follows:

Beijing Youth Daily: The US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran on February 28. Media reports say that air strikes on Shajarah Tayyebeh primary school in Iran’s Hormozgan province killed over 160 girls. Is China considering providing humanitarian assistance to Iran?

Guo Jiakun: China condemns all indiscriminate attacks against civilians and non-military targets. Attacks on schools and harm to the children, in particular, seriously violate the international humanitarian law and breach the fundamental principles of human conscience. We deeply mourn for the students from Shajarah Tayyebeh primary school in Iran’s Hormozgan province and extend sincere sympathies to their families. The Red Cross Society of China has decided to provide the Red Crescent Society of Iran with US$200,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance as special funds to support the bereaved parents. China stands ready to continue providing necessary assistance to Iran in a humanitarian spirit to help the Iranian people get through this difficult time.

The full press conference can be read here. A related report was carried by the Xinhua News Agency.

Palestine Chronicle: China condemns US-Israeli aggression, backs Tehran’s sovereignty

In the following article, originally published on March 6, the staff of Palestine Chronicle summarise diplomatic responses to date by the People’s Republic of China to the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran.

It notes that that day Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that Beijing supports Tehran in defending its sovereignty and rights:

“China opposes the US and Israel launching military strikes against Iran in violation of international law.”

She added that: “We support Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and national dignity and in upholding its legitimate and lawful rights and interests.”

Palestine Chronicle adds that: “Chinese state media and diplomatic officials have repeatedly emphasised that the strikes were carried out without authorisation from the United Nations Security Council, a point Beijing views as a clear violation of international norms.”

The article also refers to Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s related conversations with regional ministers, the most recent of which were with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, adding that:

“China’s UN mission has repeatedly stressed that sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected under international law, and that continued strikes could trigger unpredictable consequences across the Middle East.”

The article was published prior to Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s March 8 press conference in the margins of the annual session of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC).

China Backs Iran’s Sovereignty

China has strongly condemned the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran, warning that the attacks violate international law and threaten to escalate the conflict across the Middle East.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing supports Tehran in defending its sovereignty and rights.

Victor Gao: Stop the war on Iran

In an International Manifesto Group webinar held on 1 March, prominent Chinese scholar Victor Gao – Vice President of the Center for China and Globalization – gives a powerful critique of the latest Israeli-US aggression against Iran.

Victor correctly characterises the war launched by Israel and the United States as “a war of aggression and a war of injustice”. He goes on to unambiguously uphold Iran’s right to self-defence:

I listened very carefully to UN Secretary-General António Guterres when he spoke at the Security Council of the United Nations. He condemned the war launched by Israel and the United States against Iran, which I fully support. But he also condemned the military attacks launched by Iran against quite a few countries in the Middle East.

I tend to disagree with Secretary-General Guterres. Why? Because Iran, in my view, has the full right to strike at any military bases, facilities, installations, or military personnel of the United States in other regions in that part of the world—including, for example, in Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, and so on.

Otherwise, it would be completely odd for Iran to be attacked in such an aggressive manner by the United States and Israel, and yet be expected to sit like a sitting duck under such military attacks – attempts to overthrow its government, probably also to destroy its civilisation – while being bound by the futility of not striking at the military facilities and installations in its neighbourhood, which most likely have been used one way or another in launching this ongoing attack against Iran.

He proceeds to reiterate China’s orientation towards peace and its clear interest in seeing an end to hostilities: “China’s imported oil accounts for about 75 percent of the total oil we consume annually. Much of that comes from the Middle East, and much of it needs to go through the Strait of Hormuz. So we have a vested interest in keeping peace in the Middle East rather than seeing the continuation of the war and the deterioration of the situation.”

Victor concludes with a stark warning:

The US and its allies want to expand. They want to take over land, oil, gas and other minerals from the legitimate possession of other countries. They want to violate sovereignty and territorial integrity. They want to impose war – and this will not be the last war. They want to impose war after war against other countries. If we do not unite to put a stop to this aggression and war, I think they will push the situation – not only involving Iran, or the Middle East, but the whole world – into an abyss of turmoil, chaos, instability, and destruction.

The video of the speech is embedded below.

China firmly opposes and strongly condemns killing of Iran’s supreme leader

China has expressed its firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the brazen US and Israeli aggression against Iran and the murder of the country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

In an immediate reaction, following the start of the aggression on February 28, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that China is highly concerned over the military strikes against Iran launched by the US and Israel, adding that Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected.

The same day, the United Nations Security Council met in emergency session in New York.

Ambassador Fu Cong said: “Today, the United States and Israel brazenly launched military strikes against targets inside Iran, causing a sudden escalation of regional tensions. China is deeply concerned about this development. China consistently advocates that all parties should abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and opposes and condemns the use or threat of force in international relations. China stresses that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Iran and other regional countries must be respected.”

Speaking on a day when a US-Israeli air strike in the south of Iran hit a primary school, killing at least 148 people, the majority of them schoolgirls, and injuring at least 95 others, Fu added:

“China is deeply saddened by the large number of civilian casualties caused by the conflict. At all times, the red line for protecting civilians in armed conflict must not be crossed, and the indiscriminate use of force is unacceptable.”

He also stated that: “China calls for an immediate cessation of military actions to prevent further cycles of escalation. The military strikes occurred at a time when the US and Iran were engaged in diplomatic negotiations, which is shocking. The parties concerned should demonstrate political sincerity, resume dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible, and return to the right track of a political solution.”

On March 1, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that, “China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader.”

The attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader is a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, said the spokesperson, adding that it tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations.

On the same day, Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the situation in a telephone call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Wang said that it is unacceptable for the United States and Israel to launch strikes on Iran during the Iran-US negotiations, adding that it is also unacceptable for them to blatantly kill the leader of a sovereign state and incite government change. These actions violate international law and basic norms of international relations.

Wang summarised China’s position in three points:

An immediate cessation of military operations.
A prompt return to dialogue and negotiations.
A joint opposition to unilateral actions. Striking sovereign countries without authorisation of the UN Security Council undermines the foundation of peace established after World War II. The international community should send a clear message against any regression to the law of the jungle.

Sergei Lavrov said that Russia shares the same position with China and stands ready to strengthen coordination and communication with the Chinese side to send a clear signal through platforms such as the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, calling for an immediate cessation of the war and a return to diplomatic negotiations.

The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency and on the website of China’s Permanent Mission to the UN.

Fatah delegation visits China

Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (IDCPC), met in Beijing on January 16 with a visiting delegation of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement Fatah led by Bassam Zakarneh, Member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council of Palestine and Fatah’s Deputy Minister of Arab Relations and Chinese Affairs.

Liu said that the CPC is willing to work with Fatah to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, firmly support each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns, enhance experience exchange in state governance and administration and cooperation in areas such as youth and women, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, and promote greater development of China-Palestine strategic partnership through inter-party channels.

Zakarneh said, Palestine spoke highly of the profound and enduring friendship between Palestine and China and sincerely thanks China for the long-term strong support and selfless assistance to the Palestinian people. Palestine will, as always, firmly support China’s core concerns and the cause of reunification.

The following article was originally published on the IDCPC website.

Liu Haixing Meets with a Fatah Delegation of Palestine

Beijing, January 16th (IDCPC) — Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with a delegation led by Bassam Zakarneh, Member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council of Palestine and Fatah’s Deputy Minister of Arab Relations and Chinese Affairs.

Liu said, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Mahmoud Abbas, China-Palestine relations have maintained good momentum of development. The CPC is willing to work with Fatah to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, firmly support each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns, enhance experience exchange in state governance and administration and cooperation in areas such as youth and women, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, and promote greater development of China-Palestine strategic partnership through inter-party channels. Liu also introduced the main achievements of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Zakarneh said, Palestine highly spoke of the profound and enduring friendship between Palestine and China and sincerely thanks China for the long-term strong support and selfless assistance to the Palestinian people. Palestine will, as always, firmly support China’s core concerns and the cause of reunification. Fatah pays close attention to the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and is willing to further deepen exchanges and cooperation with the CPC, learn from China’s successful experiences in aspects such as comprehensively exercising rigorous governance over the Party, cultivation of cadres and economic development.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Jin Xin, Assistant-minister of the IDCPC, Firas Shomaly, Member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council of Palestine, and Jawad Mohammed Qutish Awad, Palestinian Ambassador to China, and others, were present.

Chinese scholar says resistance is only viable approach but patience is needed

The following is the text of an interview conducted by the Tehran Times with Chinese scholar Professor Jin Liangxiang on the sidelines of the recent Conference on People’s Rights and Legitimate Freedoms in the Thoughts of Ayatollah Khamenei.

Professor Jin notes that: “The Americans like to talk about liberal democracy and, when doing so, they link it to human rights. They even intervene in the domestic affairs of countries in the Middle East – such as Iran and many others – in the name of humanitarian concerns.

“But in Gaza and Palestine, we have witnessed atrocities committed by Israel, resulting in more than 70,000 deaths. In this regard, the Americans have turned a blind eye. So, I believe the United States is not in a position to lecture others about liberal democracy or to intervene under the banner of humanitarianism.”

Responding to a question on different perceptions of people’s rights and freedoms, he stresses that resistance is the only way out:

“When we talk about freedom, we must begin with justice. The most serious challenge to justice in the region is hegemony and power politics. Therefore, resistance becomes the only viable approach to achieving justice.

“We should not assume that hegemonic powers will make concessions on their own. Those policies will not disappear by themselves. The only way to deliver justice is through resistance. Even though the Middle East has experienced some changes in recent years, as long as oppression exists, resistance will continue.”

However: “The evolution of the international order will be a long process. People across the region – not only Iranians – do not accept hegemony. But weakening hegemonic structures and transforming the global order will take time… So, patience is required. BRICS is developing strong momentum and is expanding with new members. It will need time for internal integration, improving mechanisms, and organising resources. But it will become an important mechanism in shaping the future international order, playing a growing role not only financially but also politically and in the security arena.”

Jin is a senior research fellow at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS) as well as a nonresident senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, based in Doha, Qatar.

The following article was originally published by Tehran Times. A video of the interview may be viewed here.

China denounces Israel’s recognition of Somaliland

China has officially declared that it firmly opposes Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland as an “independent sovereign state” and its agreement to establish “diplomatic relations” with it.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian announced this at a regular press conference in Beijing on December 29, 2025, stating that China firmly supports Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and opposes any moves that undermine them.

China has noted that the federal government of Somalia immediately issued a statement firmly rejecting the move, and regional organisations including the African Union, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development have also expressed strong dissatisfaction and condemnation, Lin said.

He added that the Somaliland issue is entirely an internal affair of Somalia and should be resolved by the Somali people in a manner consistent with their national conditions and constitution. He also highlighted that countries outside the region should cease inappropriate interference and no country should incite or support separatist forces within another nation for its own selfish interests.

“We urge the Somaliland authorities to recognise the situation and immediately cease separatist activities and collusion with external forces.”

China has consistently supported Somalia in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Later, on December 29, the United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting in New York to discuss the situation at the request of Somalia, Algeria, Sierra Leone, and Guyana.

Addressing the session, Chinese Ambassador Sun Lei began by stating that China fully supported the four countries’ request, adding that Israel’s action had, “further increased the tensions in the Horn of Africa, drawing immediate and strong criticism and condemnations from regional organisations, including the AU [African Union], the Arab League, the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council], the OIC [Organisation of Islamic Cooperation], and IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development], as well as many regional countries. China also expresses grave concerns over this move and firmly opposes it.”

He went on to say that: “Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is a fundamental principle of the UN Charter and an unshakable cornerstone of international law and international relations, which all UN member states must strictly observe. Somaliland is an integral part of Somali territory. China firmly supports Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and opposes any act to split its territory. China has always maintained that the Somaliland issue is entirely Somalia’s internal affair. It should be resolved by the Somali people in a way consistent with the national conditions and the constitution… We urge the Somaliland authorities to grasp the situation, immediately stop separatist activities and collusion with external forces, and return to the track of dialogue with the federal government of Somalia as soon as possible to avoid further threatening regional peace and stability and opening the door to more tensions and conflicts.”

Wang Yi engages with Arab counterparts

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held an important telephone call with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty on December 16 at the latter’s request.

Wang Yi said that the two sides should take the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt next year as an opportunity to firmly support each other, deepen practical cooperation, strengthen coordination in multilateral affairs, elevate the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, help the Global South jointly advance modernisation and make new contributions from China and Egypt to world peace and development. China will host the second China-Arab States Summit next year. Egypt is an important member of the Arab world, and China is ready to enhance communication with Egypt to ensure the complete success of the summit. The Chinese side welcomes Egyptian leaders to China for the great event.

Badr Abdelatty briefed Wang Yi on the latest developments in the situation in Gaza, expressing Egypt’s high appreciation for China’s important proposals on resolving the Palestinian question and its announcement of a new round of assistance to Palestine. Egypt supports China in playing an important role in restoring peace and advancing reconstruction in Gaza.

Wang Yi said that the Gaza conflict has lasted for more than two years, claiming the lives of over 70,000 Palestinian civilians, and that this grave humanitarian catastrophe must be brought to an end. The current ceasefire remains fragile and the outlook is still worrying, which warrants close attention from all parties. The core is to prevent a resumption of hostilities and a repeat of the tragedy. Post-conflict governance in Gaza must be considered in conjunction with a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian question. The principle of “Palestinians governing Palestine” must be upheld. Gaza’s future and destiny should be in the hands of the Palestinian people themselves.

He added that President Xi Jinping’s announcement of a new round of Chinese assistance to Palestine is aimed at easing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and supporting the recovery and reconstruction in Gaza.

The call took place immediately after Wang Yi had concluded visits to three Arab countries in West Asia. He visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from December 12-13, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on December 14, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from December 14-15. In each country a joint press release was issued on Wang’s talks with his local counterpart.

In Abu Dhabi, the UAE voiced support for China in hosting the second China-Arab States Summit in 2026, and for the concurrent convening of the second China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and expressed its willingness to work with China to ensure the complete success of the summits. The Chinese side expressed its readiness to work with the UAE to promote the early conclusion of negotiations on the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement.

Both sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-State solution, and to establishing, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions, an independent State of Palestine.

China at UN: The Palestinian question remains at the very heart of the Middle East issue

Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Fu Cong addressed a UN Security Council briefing meeting on December 16.

He pointed out that: “When the Middle East is in turmoil, the world cannot be at peace. The Palestinian question remains at the very heart of the Middle East issue… While the first phase ceasefire agreement in Gaza has been reached, the prospect of peace remains distant. The historical injustices endured by the Palestinian people persist. The Palestinian question should never be marginalised.”

Fu raised four key points:

Over the past two months, frequent violations of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza have resulted in the death of over 300 civilians. Reaching a ceasefire agreement must entail the complete cessation of all hostilities, not merely a downgrade from intense conflict to low-intensity attacks.

The suffering of civilians must not continue, and urgent actions are needed to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Winter storms have brought heavy rains, inundating numerous temporary camps and putting hundreds of thousands of displaced people under severe threat. Israel’s continued restrictions on access to essential supplies are impeding the efforts of UNRWA [The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] and other humanitarian agencies to deliver critical assistance. Last week, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution supporting the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which clearly affirms Israel’s obligations as the occupying power to ensure humanitarian supplies to Gaza and to cooperate with UNRWA and other relevant agencies. China urges Israel to earnestly fulfill its obligations under international law, open all border crossings, lift access restrictions on humanitarian supplies, and support the work of the UN and other aid agencies.

The situation in the West Bank must not be overlooked, and unilateral actions in violation of international law must cease immediately. The occupying power continues to advance settlement policies, demolish Palestinian homes, and condone settler violence, resulting in massive civilian casualties and displacement. Settlement activities violate international law and Council Resolution 2334, leading to the shrinkage of Palestinian living space and eroding the foundations of the two-State solution.

Justice and fairness must prevail, and the two-State solution must be implemented without delay. Implementing the two-State solution and establishing an independent state of Palestine is the only viable path to resolving the Palestinian question. Any arrangements concerning Gaza’s future must be guided by the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine. Any attempt to alter Gaza’s territorial or demographic composition must be firmly rejected. The international community must redouble its efforts to advance the two-State solution, support the early establishment of an independent state of Palestine, and facilitate its full membership in the UN.

In conclusion, he reiterated:

“China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights. Recently, President Xi Jinping has on multiple occasions, comprehensively articulated China’s position and proposals for resolving the Palestinian question and announced that China will provide 100 million US dollars in assistance to Palestine to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support its recovery and reconstruction. China will continue to work with the international community to promote a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, and make unremitting efforts towards a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian question at an early date.”

The following article was originally published on the website of China’s Permanent Mission to the UN.

President，

I wish to begin by expressing our condolences to the victims of the mass shooting in Sydney, Australia, and expressing our solidarity with the bereaved families and those injured. I thank Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov for his briefing.

When the Middle East is in turmoil, the world cannot be at peace. The Palestinian question remains at the very heart of the Middle East issue. The latest outbreak of the Gaza conflict has brought unimaginable suffering to both Palestinian and Israeli civilians and triggered severe spillover effects across the Middle East. While the first phase ceasefire agreement in Gaza has been reached, the prospect of peace remains distant. The historical injustices endured by the Palestinian people persist. The Palestinian question should never be marginalized. The international community must further build consensus and take more proactive actions to advance a political solution.

China continues to back Iran-Saudi rapprochement

Demonstrating the continued upward momentum in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, since China facilitated their resumption of relations on March 10, 2023, as well as the continuing role played by China to encourage the building of a united front among the countries of the region to address their common challenges, the third meeting of the China-Iran-Saudi Arabia Trilateral Joint Committee was held in the Iranian capital Tehran on December 9.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Majid Takht Ravanchi, with the participation of the Chinese delegation headed by Vice Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Miao Deyu and the Saudi Arabian delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji.

A joint statement issued by the three countries said that Iran and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their commitment to all provisions of the Beijing Agreement, and pledged continued adherence to the United Nations Charter, the Charter of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and international law, and their efforts to consolidate good-neighbourly and friendly relations between the two countries on the basis of respecting national sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and security. Iran and Saudi Arabia welcomed the continued positive role of China and held that China’s support and follow-up to the implementation of the Beijing Agreement is of great importance.

The three countries welcomed the continuous progress in Iran-Saudi Arabia relations, which provides opportunities for direct exchanges between Iran and Saudi Arabia at all levels and across all sectors. The current escalation of regional tensions poses a threat to both regional and global security. Against this backdrop, it is very important for senior officials from Iran and Saudi Arabia to engage in contacts, meetings, and mutual visits. The participating parties welcomed the progress made in consular cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which enabled more than 85,000 Iranian pilgrims to perform Hajj, and more than 210,000 Iranian pilgrims to perform Umrah rituals with ease and security in 2025.

They also called for an immediate end to Israel’s actions that infringe upon Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, and condemned the infringement on Iran’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Iranian side appreciated China and Saudi Arabia for taking a clear stance on the aforementioned acts of aggression. The three countries also reaffirmed their support for a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni issue in accordance with internationally recognised principles under the auspices of the United Nations.

The previous day, Vice Foreign Minister Miao Deyu met with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi.

Miao Deyu said that in 2026, the two countries will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership. China is ready to take this opportunity, together with Iran, to further implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state and promote greater development of the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership. China looks forward to working with Iran and Saudi Arabia to ensure the success of the upcoming meeting of the joint committee, injecting more positive factors into regional peace, stability and development.

The Resistance Front and BRICS

The following article, written for Al Mayadeen by Australian author and academic Tim Anderson, addresses the frustration voiced by some anti-imperialists with regard to China and Russia’s abstention on UN Security Council Resolution 2803 – Trump’s ‘comprehensive plan’ to end the Gaza conflict.

Tim argues that much of the criticism of China and Russia stems from misunderstandings about the nature of the multipolar trajectory and from unrealistic expectations that countries outside the region would share the principles and methods of the Resistance Front in West Asia (Iran, the Palestinian Resistance, the Lebanese Resistance, Syria pre-December 2024, Ansar Allah-led Yemen, and the Iraqi Resistance).

The article observes that the Security Council resolution was supported by the Palestinian Authority and by the other states in the region, making it difficult for China or Russia to veto. “The US had the Gulf Arab regimes plus the PLO-Palestinian Authority in its pocket. Russia and China had no allies and would have had to oppose the PLO and bear the blame for blocking a PLO-supported end to the bombing.”

While both China and Russia maintain relations with the various organisations of Palestinian resistance, they also have historic ties with the PLO, and bilateral relations with the internationally-recognised government of the Palestinian State. Tim writes: “The widespread historical support for the PLO and the PA, and therefore also the ‘two-state’ notion promoted up to now by the PLO, is largely a consequence of Palestinian disunity and the failure of Resistance factions to be properly represented in the PLO, the only Palestinian body that has UN status. This is a problem for the Resistance. It is hard to expect allies in other continents to contradict the PLO-PA on this and opt for (without Palestinian leadership) a single democratic state in Palestine.”

Tim concludes:

We should understand and build realistic relations with a range of allies that may not share all our values. Russia and China are not part of the Resistance Front, but they are playing an important role in building structures to bypass US power and thus facilitate a multipolar and freer world, which will help all independent peoples. We should neither exaggerate their “saviour” capacities nor their failings. They will have an important place in the future as the only strategic alternative to the current global dictatorship.

Tim’s analysis correlates with the recently-published article on the topic by Massimiliano Ay, General Secretary of the Communist Party (Switzerland).

Supporters of the Resistance Front in West Asia are understandably disappointed by the failure of Russia and China to fully oppose Washington’s machinations at the UNSC over Gaza. This follows Syrian disappointment over Russia’s rapid engagement with al-Jolani’s regime in Damascus and Moscow’s ongoing relations with the Israelis.

However, there are common pro-Resistance misunderstandings of the great counterweights in the world, which lead to inaccurate claims that the BRICS leaders are ‘selling out’ or ‘betraying’ the Resistance. Those misunderstandings deserve some attention. At the core are principles of identifying the real enemies of the Resistance, as distinct from those with whom there might be normal or productive relations. We should neither exaggerate the ‘saviour’ status nor the failings of our potential allies.

Xi Jinping pledges US$100 million for Palestine

In the latest manifestation of China’s long-standing support for the just struggle of the Palestinian people, President Xi Jinping has announced that his country will provide 100 million US dollars of assistance to Palestine to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support its recovery and reconstruction.

Xi made the announcement on December 4 during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was paying a state visit to China.

The following day Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said that since the outbreak of the conflict, China has provided multiple batches of humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip through the UN, Egypt, Jordan and other channels, which was welcomed and appreciated by the Palestinian government and people. China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights and will continue working relentlessly with the international community for a full and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, the easing of humanitarian situation there, and an early political settlement of the Palestinian question.

In its response to this news, Hamas stated:

“The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas expresses its great appreciation to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the friendly People’s Republic of China for announcing the provision of humanitarian aid worth $100 million in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and to alleviate their humanitarian suffering under the continuous aggression imposed by the occupation on our people, and to contribute to the efforts of reconstruction.

“This generous initiative comes as an extension of China’s historical and firm positions in support of the rights of our Palestinian people, which are non-negotiable, including their right to freedom and independence, their right to self-determination, and the establishment of their independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty and its capital Jerusalem.”

The Palestinian News and Information Agency WAFA further reported that President Mahmoud Abbas had sent a letter to Xi Jinping expressing his deep appreciation, adding that this generous initiative embodies China’s principled and unwavering stance in support of justice and reflects the profound humanitarian and moral solidarity demonstrated by the Chinese leadership towards the Palestinian people in light of the unprecedented aggression and suffering they are enduring.

China demands an end to Israeli ceasefire violations and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza

China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong has again reiterated his country’s strong solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemned Israel for its ceasefire violations, continued obstruction of desperately needed humanitarian aid and worsening settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on November 24, Fu began by stating that: “The Palestinian question lies at the heart of the Middle East issue and bears on peace and security in the region and beyond.”

He continued: “We welcome the agreement reached on the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire. However, peace between Palestine and Israel is still far from being achieved, and the suffering of civilians continues. We call on the international community to work harder with the greatest sense of urgency and unwavering political will toward restoring peace in the region.”

In this regard, he advanced four points:

Achieving a lasting ceasefire in Gaza is a top priority. We note with concern that violent clashes persist despite the ceasefire. Israel has reportedly committed over 400 violations of the agreement, resulting in more than 300 civilian deaths in Gaza. A ceasefire means the complete cessation of all attacks and should be observed by all parties in good faith. Any incident causing civilian casualties is unacceptable and repeated attacks must not become the new normal in Gaza.

Scaling up humanitarian assistance for Gaza is a matter of urgency. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with severe shortages of essential supplies and medical equipment. Humanitarian access to Gaza continues to face multiple obstacles, and the aid that does reach Gaza falls far short of the quantity specified in the ceasefire agreement. The International Court of Justice has issued multiple advisory opinions and orders of provisional measures, stating unequivocally that, as the occupying power, Israel is under obligation to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Easing tensions in the West Bank is a pressing demand. The occupying power’s continued settlement expansion and connivance of settler violence have further fuelled the tensions in the West Bank. As documented by the UN, there were more than 260 incidents of settler violence last month alone, resulting in significant civilian casualties and property damage, making it the most devastating month since 2006.

Implementing the two-State solution is the only way out. Both Gaza and the West Bank are inseparable parts of the Palestinian state. Any future arrangements on Gaza should be guided by the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine and respect the will of the Palestinian people. The international community must redouble efforts to advance the two-State solution, oppose any unilateral actions that undermine its foundation, and support the early realisation of independent Palestinian statehood and its full UN membership.

We reproduce Fu Cong’s full statement below. It was originally published on the website of China’s permanent mission to the UN.

In this regard, he advanced four points:

Achieving a lasting ceasefire in Gaza is a top priority. We note with concern that violent clashes persist despite the ceasefire. Israel has reportedly committed over 400 violations of the agreement, resulting in more than 300 civilian deaths in Gaza. A ceasefire means the complete cessation of all attacks and should be observed by all parties in good faith. Any incident causing civilian casualties is unacceptable and repeated attacks must not become the new normal in Gaza.

Scaling up humanitarian assistance for Gaza is a matter of urgency. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with severe shortages of essential supplies and medical equipment. Humanitarian access to Gaza continues to face multiple obstacles, and the aid that does reach Gaza falls far short of the quantity specified in the ceasefire agreement. The International Court of Justice has issued multiple advisory opinions and orders of provisional measures, stating unequivocally that, as the occupying power, Israel is under obligation to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Easing tensions in the West Bank is a pressing demand. The occupying power’s continued settlement expansion and connivance of settler violence have further fuelled the tensions in the West Bank. As documented by the UN, there were more than 260 incidents of settler violence last month alone, resulting in significant civilian casualties and property damage, making it the most devastating month since 2006.

Implementing the two-State solution is the only way out. Both Gaza and the West Bank are inseparable parts of the Palestinian state. Any future arrangements on Gaza should be guided by the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine and respect the will of the Palestinian people. The international community must redouble efforts to advance the two-State solution, oppose any unilateral actions that undermine its foundation, and support the early realisation of independent Palestinian statehood and its full UN membership.

We reproduce Fu Cong’s full statement below. It was originally published on the website of China’s permanent mission to the UN.

China ‘supports just cause of Palestinian people’, urges lasting ceasefire

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and urged the international community to step up efforts to support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

In his congratulatory message to a UN meeting held on November 25 to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Xi said the Palestinian issue lies at the heart of the Middle East conflict, affecting international fairness, justice, and regional stability. “As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights.”

He added that post-conflict governance and reconstruction in Gaza should be carried out under the principle of “Palestinians governing Palestine,” with full respect for the will of the Palestinian people and said the Palestinian issue is also a test of the effectiveness of the global governance system.

He called on nations to confront the root causes of the Palestinian issue, shoulder responsibility, take strong actions, correct historical injustices and uphold fairness and justice.

The following article was originally published by Palestine Chronicle.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and urged the international community to step up efforts to support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, according to Chinese media cited by the Anadolu news agency.

In his congratulatory message to a UN meeting held on Tuesday to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Xi said the Palestinian issue lies at the heart of the Middle East conflict, affecting international fairness, justice, and regional stability, the Xinhua news agency reported.

China explains its abstention in UN Gaza vote

On November 17, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted Resolution 2803 (2025), which sets out proposed post-war arrangements for the Palestinian territory of Gaza. The resolution was adopted with 13 votes in favour and no votes against. China and Russia abstained from the vote. As permanent members of the Security Council, a negative vote by either country would have vetoed the resolution.

Following the vote, China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong made an explanatory statement. He began by stating that:

“Gaza, brutalised by two years of war, is a land of ruins in dire need of rebuilding. Over two million people continue to live in deprivation and struggle in displacement. China supports the Security Council in taking all necessary actions to achieve a lasting ceasefire, relieve the humanitarian disaster, and launch post-war reconstruction to rekindle the hope of peace and development for the people in Gaza.”

However, he added: “Regrettably, the draft resolution that was just voted on is lacking in many respects and is deeply worrisome” and went on to set out four points in this regard:

The draft resolution is vague and unclear on many critical elements. The penholder requests the Council to authorise the establishment of a Board of Peace and international stabilisation force, which will play a key role in the post-war governance in Gaza. It should have explained in details their structure, composition, terms of reference, and criteria of participation, among others… However, the draft resolution contains skimpy details on these critical elements.

The draft resolution does not demonstrate the fundamental principle of Palestinians governing Palestine. Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, not to anyone else. Any post-war arrangements must respect the will of the Palestinian people… The draft resolution outlines post-war governance arrangements for Gaza, but it seems that Palestine is barely visible in it, and the Palestinian sovereignty and ownership are not fully reflected.

The draft resolution does not ensure the effective participation of the UN and its Security Council… The UN has ample experience and capacities in post-conflict recovery and economic reconstruction and should therefore play a vital role in Gaza’s post-war governance. However, no such arrangement is made in the draft resolution.

The draft resolution is not a product of full consultations among Council members. Less than two weeks after introducing the draft resolution, the penholder rushed the Council into making a critical decision on the future and destiny of Gaza. Council members responsibly engaged in the consultations, raising a lot of constructive questions and suggestions, but most of them were not taken on board.

However: “Notwithstanding the above-mentioned many issues in the draft resolution and China’s major concerns about it, considering the fragile and severe situation in Gaza, the imperative of maintaining the ceasefire, and the positions of the regional countries and Palestine, China abstained in the vote. It must also be noted that our concerns and worries remain… The Palestinian question lies at the heart of the Middle East issues. It is a matter about international equity and justice… China has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights. We stand ready to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts for a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian question.”

KJ Noh: Washington has been preparing for war with China for over a decade

This wide-ranging interview with political analyst KJ Noh on India and Global Left centres on China’s geopolitical role, the US’s evolving imperial strategy, and the urgent need for solidarity among the nations of the Global South.

KJ begins by responding to the criticism that China is not doing enough to end the genocide in Palestine. He states bluntly: “let’s be clear – no country is doing enough. We are witnessing a live-streamed genocide – children are starving, journalists and doctors are being killed, and an entire population is being besieged and starved. This cannot and should not be tolerated.”

Nonetheless, he contends that blaming third parties such as China diverts responsibility from the Western powers funding, arming and shielding Israel. “In reality, this is not just an Israeli genocide — it is a US-led imperial genocide, with Israel acting as the subcontractor. The project of colonisation and control of West Asia’s resources is part of a larger imperial strategy.”

Regarding China’s position, KJ notes that China was one of the first countries to recognise the State of Palestine, and has long supported its liberation struggle. China last year hosted reconciliation talks among 14 Palestinian factions and has explicitly backed the right of occupied peoples to armed resistance. He further argues that China’s approach is constrained by international structures it cannot unilaterally override.

Turning to US policy and the unfolding New Cold War, KJ asserts that Washington has been preparing for war with China since at least 2009, when the “Air-Sea Battle” doctrine was formulated — a continuation of its “Shock and Awe” strategy of pre-emptive decapitation. He describes a three-stage process of escalation: information warfare, military positioning and provocation, warning that the US now considers tactical nuclear weapons usable. The US, he argues, seeks proxies such as Taiwan Province, the Philippines and South Korea to wage a regional war that could quickly turn nuclear.

To avoid becoming proxy battlegrounds, KJ urges that countries of the Global South build sovereignty — digital, financial, energy, and territorial — and strengthen mutual alliances such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

China strongly condemns US misuse of veto to shield Israel

On September 18, the United States yet again abused its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to block a call for a ceasefire and an end to the carnage and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

In this regard, Chinese Ambassador to the UN, Fu Cong has made three strong statements decrying the actions of the United States and Israel and in support of the just and inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people.

Speaking at a United Nations General Assembly debate on the matter, held on October 1, he said:

“Time and again, the Security Council has sought to take actions, only to be forcefully blocked by the United States again and again. On September 18, the United States once again vetoed a Security Council draft resolution on Gaza. China expresses its deep disappointment and regret over this. If it were not for the United States’ repeated abuse of the veto, the Security Council’s response to the Gaza crisis would not have been so inadequate. If it were not for the United States’ shielding of Israel, Council resolutions and international law would not have been so flagrantly violated.”

He outlined three imperatives as follows:

A lasting ceasefire in Gaza must be achieved immediately. History has repeatedly demonstrated that military means is not the way out, and that one’s own security cannot be built on the insecurity of others.

The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza must be alleviated. Under the man-made blockade, Gaza is witnessing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. China reiterates that the weaponisation of humanitarian aid is unacceptable, the militarisation of aid distribution mechanism is unacceptable, and attacks on aid-seeking civilians and humanitarian workers are unacceptable.

The two-State solution must be implemented. Both Gaza and the West Bank are inseparable parts of the Palestinian territory. Any post-war governance and reconstruction arrangements must adhere to the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine and respect the will of the Palestinian people.

At a UN Security Council briefing on September 29, he noted: “Last week, at the general debate of the 80th UN General Assembly, the high-level meeting on the implementation of the two-State solution, and other major events, the international community once again issued a powerful call for an immediate end to the killings, for saving lives, and for achieving peace. This is not merely the most fundamental requirement for upholding fairness and justice. More importantly, it is the bare minimum required by human morality and conscience.