BAKU, Azerbaijan — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Israel to halt and reverse what Beijing describes as the “forced establishment” of settlements in the occupied West Bank, while calling for the full reopening of access to Gaza to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis.
Wang made the remarks during a face-to-face meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday, October 15, on the sidelines of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry disclosed details of the discussion in a statement released on Friday.
According to the ministry, Wang reiterated China’s longstanding position on the Palestinian question, describing it as “the greatest historical injustice of this century”. He maintained that a two-state solution, which would allow Israel and an independent Palestinian state to exist side by side, remains the appropriate path towards resolving the conflict.
Wang also stressed that promoting peace and reconciliation in the Middle East remains central to China’s regional policy, adding that Beijing is prepared to work with the international community to encourage all parties to resume dialogue and pursue a political settlement.
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China Calls for Full Humanitarian Access to Gaza
Addressing the situation in Gaza, Wang identified the full reopening of access routes into the territory as an immediate priority, warning that civilians must not be left struggling on the brink of survival.
He called for urgent measures to prevent the humanitarian crisis from worsening, as Palestinians continue to face challenges linked to displacement, food insecurity and the threat of renewed Israeli military strikes.
Although a ceasefire agreement took effect in October 2025, violence has continued in Gaza, with reports of Israeli strikes and ongoing disputes over the implementation of the agreement.
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According to figures cited in the supplied report from Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes in the year since the ceasefire began. The figures are considered reliable by the United Nations, although they are reported by the territory’s health authorities.
The ceasefire was initially intended to serve as the first phase of a broader agreement to end the war, which began following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. However, progress towards subsequent phases has stalled, with Israel and Hamas accusing each other of violating the terms of the agreement.
Herzog Emphasises Israel’s Security Concerns
In his response to the meeting, Herzog said discussions focused on relations between Israel and China, as well as the broader situation in the Middle East.
In a post on X, the Israeli president said he was pleased to meet Wang and emphasised Israel’s desire for regional peace. He also highlighted what he described as strategic threats to Israel’s security, particularly those posed by Iran and its allied armed groups.
Herzog’s public account of the meeting did not detail the discussion about West Bank settlements. Israel’s presidential office said the talks covered bilateral relations and the regional situation.
The meeting comes amid continuing diplomatic efforts by international actors to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and prevent further instability across the Middle East.
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Beijing Seeks a Greater Diplomatic Role
China has consistently supported the Palestinian cause and advocated a two-state solution. In recent years, Beijing has also sought to strengthen its position as a diplomatic intermediary in regional conflicts.
In 2023, China helped broker an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to restore diplomatic relations after years of hostility, marking a significant development in regional diplomacy.
In 2024, Beijing also hosted representatives of rival Palestinian factions, which agreed to work towards forming an interim national reconciliation government for the occupied West Bank and Gaza. The proposed arrangement, however, was not implemented.
China has maintained close economic and diplomatic relations with Iran, while also sustaining ties with Israel. Its relationship with Tehran, including its role as a major buyer of Iranian oil, adds another dimension to Beijing’s diplomatic engagement in the region.
Wang’s latest remarks reflect China’s continued call for dialogue, humanitarian assistance and a negotiated political settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A Two-State Solution Remains Central to China’s Position
The two-state solution envisages an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, with the parties reaching negotiated agreements on outstanding issues, including borders, security and the status of Jerusalem.
However, decades of conflict, disagreements over territory, settlement expansion, security concerns and divisions among Palestinian political factions have complicated efforts to achieve a lasting agreement.
As humanitarian needs persist in Gaza and tensions continue in the occupied West Bank, international calls for renewed negotiations remain a central feature of diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
China has reiterated its willingness to cooperate with the international community to bring the parties back to the negotiating table. Whether those efforts can translate into progress towards a durable ceasefire and a negotiated political settlement remains uncertain.
