China's Theatre Of Diplomacy and the Israel–Hamas Conflict

ABSTRACT: The unexpected attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent conflict in Gaza posed a major test of China's commitment and capability in leveraging its newfound global standing to meaningfully impact the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. This article examines China's diplomatic strategy in addressing the Gaza conflict within the context of its rising global influence, deepening economic connections with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and escalating great-power competition with the United States. The article begins with a brief discussion of China's expanding role as a peace-broker and its preference for conflict management over resolution. There follows an overview of China's stance on the Palestinian–Israeli conflict. The article then details Beijing's approach to the Gaza War, namely the adoption of a self-proclaimed 'principled neutrality' that, in practice, leaned noticeably towards the Palestinians and took a strongly critical stance against the West. The article highlights how the United Nations served as the central stage for China's diplomatic efforts, which were focused on de-escalation. The study shows that Beijing's approach to the war aimed to bolster China's sway among Global South nations but ultimately revealed its inherent limitations.