Full Breakdown
China’s Dual Engagement with Israel and Palestine in Baku
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 15, 2026, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Israeli President Isaac Herzog on the sidelines of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia-Pacific (CICA) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The meeting, confirmed by a statement from the Israeli President’s Office, focused on “economic, trade, and cultural ties” and broader Middle-East issues.
Background & Context
The CICA summit provides a multilateral platform for Asian and Pacific states to discuss security and cooperation. China’s simultaneous outreach to both Israeli and Palestinian officials reflects its stated policy of balancing relations in the region while promoting its vision of a negotiated two-state outcome.
Key Diplomatic Actors
- Wang Yi – Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China; articulated Beijing’s stance on the Palestinian issue and sought broader regional stability.
- Isaac Herzog – President of Israel; highlighted the importance of expanding Israel-China economic, trade, and cultural cooperation.
- Varsen Aghabekian Shahin – Palestinian diplomatic representative; received Wang Yi’s reaffirmation of Chinese support for Palestinian aspirations.
Official Statements & Expected Outcomes
The Israeli presidential statement underscored the desire to deepen bilateral ties across multiple sectors. Both statements suggest an intent to use the CICA venue to advance diplomatic dialogue, though no concrete agreements were announced.
Why It Matters
China’s parallel engagement signals an effort to maintain influence over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while expanding its economic footprint with Israel. By publicly supporting a two-state solution, Beijing aligns itself with broader international calls for a negotiated settlement, potentially shaping future diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East.
