Chinese President Xi Jinping today invited Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for a multi-day visit, which appears to be China’s next step in international mediation of long-standing conflicts. China seems increasingly to want to act like one, and where before it tried to bring peace between Ukraine and Russia, it now also seems to want to get involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Former ambassador to Russia and China, among others, Ron Keller calls the invitation surprising. “Recently China has become very active as a mediator,” he points out. “That in itself was not foreseeable two years ago. Now one could say that it makes sense, because they have started mediation between Ukraine and Russia.’
“China has recently become very active as a mediator”
Keller points out that China has been relatively successful in its negotiating efforts. For example, Xi has successfully mediated between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and China has already carefully preordained a possible mediation role. According to Keller, that was pushed back at the time, “but I think — encouraged both by their own success and the geopolitical backdrop — they’ve now said they really want to do it.”
Not popular
According to deputy editor-in-chief Bart Schut of the Nieuw Israëlitisch Weekblad, Abbas’ invitation does not make China very popular in Israel, although he also thinks Israel is not taking the invitation too seriously. “There won’t be many people in the region – let alone in Israel itself – who think the Chinese will ‘facilitate’ the peace process given how tight it is.”
He also thinks the fact that Palestine was invited before Israel also hurts. And that’s understandable, says Schut. Especially since the US has always been the mediator until now. “They are often seen in the region as more Israel-leaning,” Schut continues. The Chinese approach it differently. But if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been invited at the same time as Abbas, it was still unthinkable that they would sit down together at the table.’
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
