The recent Middle East conflict has placed Israel and the United States in a strategic position of strong support for each other. Israel relies on the US for security, and in return, the US provides unwavering backing.
China’s Strategic Shift: Siding with the Global South
Meanwhile, China has taken a different approach. Instead of directly supporting Israel or involving itself militarily, China has chosen to align with the Global South, a group of nations that largely remain critical of Israel and its actions in Gaza.
China’s stance on the Middle East is strategic and avoids being isolated by the US-led coalition. In recent years, the US has tried to form alliances to counter China’s growing influence. This included encouraging countries like Japan, India, and Australia to join forces in containing China’s power. As a result, China has faced increasing pressure in East Asia and fears that the US could isolate it economically and politically. To combat this, China has decided to position itself as an ally to the Global South, particularly in issues where these countries find themselves at odds with the US and its allies.
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Why China Won’t Replace the US in the Middle East
China’s relationship with Israel is not the same as the US’s close bond with the country. Unlike the US, which has a long history and “special relationship” with Israel, China does not have a deep-rooted connection. For the US, supporting Israel is a priority; they view the country as a strategic “unsinkable aircraft carrier” in the Middle East. China, however, has other concerns and focuses primarily on its region, particularly on Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory.
Additionally, China’s political system and lack of significant Jewish diaspora mean it is not easily influenced by Israeli interests. Even if China wished to support Israel, it currently lacks the global military and economic reach that the US possesses. China has a large navy in numbers, but its influence is mostly limited to East Asia, and its ability to project power on a global scale remains restricted.
China has mostly tried to stay neutral, calling for peace and condemning violence on both sides. However, its reluctance to explicitly criticize Hamas and its avoidance of using terms like “terrorist organization” to describe the group has raised eyebrows, particularly in Israel. China’s stance has contributed to a decline in Sino-Israeli relations, reaching a low point that observers say may be one of the most significant shifts in recent years.
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Middle East as a Battleground for US-China Rivalry
China sees the current Middle East turmoil as an opportunity to weaken the US’s image in the eyes of the Global South. For years, the US has maintained close ties with many nations in the region, using its alliances and influence to promote its policies. By siding with the Global South and indirectly criticizing the US, China seeks to question the US’s actions and highlight what it sees as American hypocrisy.
China’s strategy is evident in its recent criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. While China has condemned violence broadly, its statements have carefully avoided mentioning Hamas explicitly, choosing instead to speak against civilian casualties in Gaza. This ambiguity has led some to view China as biased toward the Palestinians, positioning itself against the US-backed Israeli stance.
Historically, China has used Middle East conflicts as an economic opportunity, often selling weapons to multiple sides in a conflict. However, in the present situation, China believes it has more to strategic gain by aligning itself with the Global South. This strategy allows China to strengthen its ties with countries that may also feel sidelined or pressured by the US.
One notable example is Saudi Arabia. Recently, Riyadh showed reluctance in signing a defense agreement with the US, a deal that would have limited its ties with China. By not aligning strictly with US demands, Saudi Arabia signals a strategic shift that could benefit China’s strategy of keeping the US from rallying other nations exclusively to its side.
China’s move to side with the Global South has also helped it avoid direct involvement in the Middle East’s complex and volatile politics. Instead, China’s approach allows it to criticize the US without getting entangled in regional alliances or taking on security commitments. This keeps China focused on its priorities in East Asia while subtly supporting the voices of nations that feel marginalized by the US’s Middle Eastern policies.
Global Implications of China’s Approach to the Middle East
Despite China’s actions, it is not yet in the same league as the US in terms of global power. China’s economy, though substantial, remains smaller than the US’s, and its military influence is limited beyond its immediate region. What China lacks most, however, is the ideological appeal that has historically attracted allies to the US. American principles, such as democracy and human rights, resonate with many around the world, while China’s political model is less universally appealing.
China’s primary concern remains economic: it relies on globalization and open markets to sustain its growth. If the US were to succeed in convincing countries to limit economic ties with China, it could have severe consequences for China’s prosperity. Fearful of returning to a state of economic isolation, China aims to build alliances that could counterbalance US influence.
For now, China’s strategy appears to be working in certain areas. Countries that feel they must balance between China and the US often find comfort in China’s criticism of American policies, particularly when they align with the interests of the Global South. As long as the US is unable to completely isolate China, Beijing is unlikely to change its approach.
The US-China rivalry is likely to continue shaping global politics, with regions like the Middle East becoming key battlegrounds. By aligning itself with the Global South, China hopes to avoid the isolation that the US seeks to impose while quietly building a coalition of countries willing to question American influence.
