Full Breakdown
China Urges Israel to Halt West Bank Settlement Expansion and Open Gaza Access
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Diplomatic Appeal on the Sidelines of a Regional Summit
On October 15, 2026, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Baku, Azerbaijan, during the Seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia. The next day, Wang told Herzog that Israel should stop and reverse the “forced establishment” of settlements in the occupied West Bank and urged the full opening of humanitarian access routes into the Gaza Strip. The remarks were released in a statement by China’s foreign ministry on October 16, 2026.
Background & Context: China’s Long-Standing Position on the Palestinian Issue
Beijing frames the two-state solution as the path toward a political settlement and cites regional peace as the “cornerstone” of its Middle East policy. The statement follows President Xi Jinping’s September 2026 visit to Cairo, where he called on regional actors to resist external influence and consider reshaping the security order.
Official Statements & Responses
- Wang Yi said the immediate priority is to fully open access to the Gaza Strip to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and offered China’s readiness to work with the international community for dialogue.
- Herzog reaffirmed Israel’s adherence to the one-China policy, highlighted security concerns, and praised China’s peace proposals.
Data & Statistics: Economic Links Underpinning Diplomatic Context
- China is Iran’s largest trading partner, importing up to 90 percent of Iranian oil.
- In 2021, Beijing and Tehran signed a 25-year comprehensive strategic partnership.
Why It Matters: Potential Implications for the Conflict and Regional Diplomacy
China’s call for Israel to halt settlement activity and open Gaza routes signals an attempt to assert diplomatic influence in a conflict traditionally dominated by the United States. By linking the settlement appeal with a humanitarian priority, Beijing positions itself as a mediating voice that could shape future multilateral initiatives, especially as the 35th anniversary of China-Israel diplomatic relations approaches in 2027.