Chinese Foreign Minister [Wang Yi](https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/) called on Israel to cease settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and to reverse restrictions on Gaza access during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on the sidelines of a conference in Azerbaijan on Thursday. Wang labeled the Palestinian issue as "the greatest historical injustice of this century" and stressed that the immediate priority is to guarantee full humanitarian access to Gaza and halt the deteriorating situation.
**What did China propose?**
China said it is ready to cooperate with the international community to bring the parties back to negotiations and pursue a political resolution to the conflict. Beijing reiterated its long‑standing support for a two‑state solution and its desire to play a larger mediating role in Middle‑East disputes.
**How has China been involved in regional diplomacy?**
In 2023, China facilitated the restoration of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, it joined Pakistan in urging a ceasefire in the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The country also hosted rival Palestinian factions in 2024, reaching an agreement for an interim national reconciliation government for the West Bank and Gaza, although that pact was never implemented.
Herzog noted that the discussion with Wang focused on bilateral relations and the broader Middle‑East situation. He posted on X that Israel seeks regional peace while confronting strategic threats, particularly from Iran and its proxy groups.
**Why is the issue significant for China?**
Beijing maintains close ties with Iran and is the largest purchaser of Iranian oil, which remains under U.S. sanctions linked to Tehran’s nuclear programme. By urging an end to settlement growth and full Gaza access, China aims to stabilise a volatile region that impacts its economic and security interests.
**Current humanitarian context:**
One year after the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that began in October 2025, Gaza continues to endure Israeli strikes, displacement and food shortages. Although large‑scale bombardments have lessened, Israel still conducts operations in the enclave. The Hamas‑run health ministry in Gaza reports over 1,400 Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire, figures the United Nations deems reliable.
The ceasefire was the first phase of a broader agreement intended to end the war sparked by Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. Progress toward the next phase has stalled, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of breaches.