Now, China looks to mediate in Israel-Palestine conflict
Saudi-Iran peace deal that it brokered, China is looking to mediate between Israel and Palestine, hoping this will boost its image in the Muslim world. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited to visit Beijing and he may seek Beijing's assistance to secure a deal with the Saudis, ET has learnt. India is keeping a close watch on any China-Israel deal, given its high stakes in Israel.
As a first likely step toward this, Palestinian President Abbas visited Beijing in June and backed the One China Policy, avoiding any reference to the Uyghur issue. China in turn supported a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital. China is also planning to open Chinese language schools in Palestine and may offer development grants, according to Beijing watchers.
There are even reports that China may encourage Palestine's entry into the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as well as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China is taking advantage of deteriorating ties between Israel and the US to make inroads into the region, according to one of the China watchers cited above. Beijing has already raised its involvement across West Asia and North Africa in the past few years.
China has been encouraging Arab states, particularly the rich Gulf countries, to get associated with the SCO. Earlier this month, China hosted a China-Arab states political parties' dialogue. Leaders from over 60 parties and organisations attended the meeting.
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