Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to host UNSC session on Gaza conflict
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will host a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting today on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
China currently has the rotating presidency of the UNSC and has taken a largely hesitant and restrained stance on the conflict, calling for an end to hostilities. Part of China’s reluctance to take a side originates from traditional ties to the Palestinian side due to shared leftist ideological origins and China’s growing economic relationship with Israel. Beijing has also increased its attempts to mediate international conflicts recently having presented peace plans for the war in Ukraine earlier this year and organising the normalisation of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Yi’s approach is likely to be similar at this meeting. As a partner to both sides, China may have increased credibility to negotiate a cessation of hostilities. Nevertheless, a permanent agreement is unlikely in the near term given the extent of escalation since the 7th of October. However, should Beijing continue to present itself as a neutral mediator in different disputes, it may be able to increase its diplomatic clout globally.
