Beijing – As China prepares to host a forum with representatives from 130 nations, the looming shadow of the Israel-Gaza war adds a complex layer to the discussions. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) forum, organized by China, is graced by the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking his first significant global appearance since the Ukraine crisis strained his regime’s relations with the international community.
World leaders have started arriving in Beijing to commemorate a decade of the BRI, a cornerstone of President Xi Jinping’s strategy to expand China’s global influence. While China envisions the forum as a platform to elevate its global stature, the Israel-Gaza conflict continues to dominate headlines.
Israel’s declaration of war on the Islamist group, Hamas, stemmed from waves of fighters breaching the heavily fortified border on October 7, resulting in over 1,400 casualties, predominantly civilians. The ongoing Israeli bombardment of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip has displaced over one million people, leading to scenes of chaos and desperation. Gaza has witnessed at least 2,670 casualties, primarily civilians, and the destruction of entire neighborhoods.
China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has condemned Israel’s actions as exceeding the bounds of self-defense and called for the cessation of collective punishment against Gaza’s people. This represents China’s most explicit stance to date on the Israel-Gaza conflict, although Western officials have criticized Beijing for not specifically naming Hamas in its statements.
China’s warm relationship with Iran, which supports both Hamas and Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, provides additional layers of complexity. Earlier this year, China played a crucial role in brokering an entente between regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia.
In efforts to promote a ceasefire and peace talks in the Israel-Hamas conflict, China’s special envoy, Zhai Jun, is set to visit the Middle East, although specific destinations have not been disclosed.
Notably, the BRI summit serves as an opportunity for Beijing to garner support for its positions on global issues. Attending leaders effectively signal their alignment with China’s viewpoints on such matters.
Several prominent leaders have already arrived in Beijing for the two-day forum. These include Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Chile’s President Gabriel Boric, Kenya’s President William Ruto, and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has held talks with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and President Putin, whose strategic reliance on China has grown since the Ukraine crisis, is expected to arrive shortly.
The deepening partnership between China and Russia is marked by mutual necessity, with both countries seeing each other as vital allies in their struggle against Western dominance. This partnership is bolstered by the personal relationship between Presidents Xi and Putin, who describe each other as “dear friends.”
The two nations acknowledge the significance of President Xi Jinping’s multipolar world vision and his BRI initiative. Their alliance is built on shared strategic interests and a commitment to countering Western influence on the global stage.
In an interview with Chinese state broadcaster CGTN, President Putin praised the strong ties between Russia and China, emphasizing the mutual benefits of the BRI and the global leadership of President Xi Jinping.
The world watches as China, poised for the BRI summit, navigates a diplomatic tightrope amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict and evolving global dynamics.
