China’s Israel policy requires balance
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife arrived in Beijing on Sunday for an official visit amid celebration for the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Israel-China diplomatic relations.
During his visit, economic issue was high on the agenda as he was accompanied by a historically largest business delegation seeking potential opportunities for cooperation.
The Sino- Israeli relations have been growing in the past few years, with the increase in high- level communication, a boost in people- to- people exchanges, and strengthening of the bilateral economic relationship.
China is Israel’s biggest partner in Asia and the major area for the country’s overseas merger and acquisition. The size of the official delegation and the value of the bilateral trade have no doubt manifested into the influence that China wields in the process of Israel’s global economic cooperation.
Notably, the advancement of the Sino- Israeli relations is largely concentrated on trade.
Apart from Israel, other countries in the Middle East have the same experience when cooperating with China. Days ago, many were impressed by the “splendid display” during the visit of Saudi Arabian’s King to China. Such high- level visits by Middle East leaders prove that China’s influence and reputation in the region have steadily grown. But, this only extends to the economic arena and currently, China does not have the same level of influence in the region as the US and the EU.
On many Middle East affairs, especially in regards to the Israel- Palestine conflict, China’s strategy is to assist in the negotiations without proactive intervention while respecting the natural course of peace talks.
In 2013, Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were both in China for a summit meeting. As the international community expected China to play the role as a mediator, the Chinese government said the country “is willing to offer necessary assistance if the leaders of Palestine and Israel have the will to meet.”
By the “land for peace” principle, Israel, as the land occupier, has the upper hand. The only country that can exert any consequential influence on Israeli affairs is the US. China may have some say on the issue in the future given the boost in the Sino-Israeli economic partnership. But now, the condition is not ripe for China to do so. Since US President Donald Trump assumed office, Trump’s US diplomatic rhetoric and unrestrained policy plans, and the division within his team on Middle East affairs have put the regional countries on edge. On the Palestine- Israel issue, Trump vowed to move the US embassy to Jerusalem and honor the “one state” solution, which received strong opposition from Palestine.
Besides, Washington’s new diplomatic attitude toward seeking a balanced strategy cannot provide security for its ally, Israel. It has somehow offered China an opportunity to extend its influence on Middle East affairs.
Two concerns remain. With China’s influence in the Middle East becoming greater, international expectation for China’s participation in regional affairs will grow. Hence, Beijing has to strike a strategic balance between conservatively confining its outreach capacity or proactively extending its influence.
The complexity of Middle East affairs should be fully recognized. China’s ability to influence the region still lags behind the US, the EU and even Russia. China is faced with a complicated geopolitical situation, and the Middle East is not in the core area of China’s diplomatic interests.
Under such circumstances, China should continue its present stance and work firmly on economic cooperation. To strengthen its economic power and partnership in a low- profile manner is the right strategy for China’s Middle East policy.