On May 2, 2024, as U.S. Secretary of State Blinken met with the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, representatives from Hamas and Fatah held talks in Beijing. Analysts suggest that amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and China, the Chinese move is an attempt to counter American efforts in the Middle East peace process. However, experts believe that China is unlikely to make any significant progress as the U.S. holds the dominant position in the peace process in the Middle East.
On April 30, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that at China’s invitation, representatives from both Fatah and Hamas visited Beijing for dialogue aimed at promoting internal reconciliation in Palestine. Lin described the negotiations as progressing positively, with both sides agreeing to continue the dialogue process. He also expressed gratitude on behalf of both parties for China’s efforts.
It is reported that the discussions between the two Palestinian factions invited by China went beyond reconciliation efforts to include topics such as China’s support for Palestine’s UN membership and advancing a solution to the two-state issue.
This marks the first confirmed visit of a Hamas delegation to Beijing since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict. Meanwhile, following his visit to Beijing, Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia on April 29 for his seventh visit to the region since the Gaza conflict began, aiming to facilitate diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
In Riyadh, he emphasized that the only obstacle to achieving a ceasefire in Gaza is Hamas. Israel has presented a “very generous” ceasefire proposal aimed at securing the release of hostages and Blinken hopes that Hamas will accept this proposal.
Regarding the Hamas militants, Blinken stressed, “They must make a decision, and they must make it quickly,” adding, “I hope they make the right decision.”
On April 30, Hamas stated that they are reviewing the Israeli ceasefire proposal (a 40-day ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages) and plan to respond to the proposal in writing promptly.
Reaching a ceasefire agreement and subsequently restoring peace in the Middle East is a top priority for U.S. Middle East affairs and a crucial component of U.S. global strategy. With China’s strong support, Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine, and the U.S. must focus on ending the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict that has lasted for over two years.
Political commentator Tang Jingyuan commented to Dajiyuan that China has been supporting Hamas since the beginning of the conflict in Gaza, using it as a way to counter the U.S. in Middle Eastern affairs.
In the current deteriorating relations between the U.S. and China and the precarious situation in the Middle East, China announced the talks between the Palestinian factions in Beijing on the last day of Blinken’s visit to show its hand in the game against the U.S. “It is sending a signal to the United States that China has influence over both Hamas and Fatah,” Tang remarked.
“With the Gaza conflict nearing its end and Hamas losing control over Gaza, the organization’s survival and ability to maintain strength are in question. China’s diplomatic intervention in the Palestinian territories at this time signifies its political support for Hamas and its desire to prevent Israel from completely eliminating Hamas,” he added.
On March 17, China’s special envoy on Middle East shuttle diplomacy, Wang Kejian, met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Qatar. Wang assured Haniya of China’s efforts to swiftly achieve a ceasefire and work towards a comprehensive, fair, and lasting solution based on the two-state plan for the Palestinian issue.
Prior to this, Wang met with Riyad Al-Malki, foreign minister of Fatah (the Palestinian National Authority) in Manila. Following the meeting, the Palestinian National Authority’s foreign ministry released a statement praising China’s unwavering support for Palestine.
Fatah, led by Mahmoud Abbas and considered a Western-backed Palestinian authority, lost limited autonomy in the West Bank to Hamas armed forces in a 2007 war. Since then, Palestine has been divided into two opposing factions with unresolved political differences.
The U.S. supports the Palestinian Authority and regards Hamas as a terrorist organization, while China does not recognize Hamas as a terrorist group, treating both factions equally.
In October last year, following the outbreak of the Gaza war, a bipartisan delegation from the U.S. Congress visited China, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressing disappointment about China’s stance on Hamas attacks on Israel. At that time, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson claimed that China is a friend to both Israel and Palestine. The Global Times criticized Western countries for their responsibility in the Gaza conflict, driven by U.S. leadership, and warned against taking sides’ actions that would only “add fuel to the fire.”
Director of the Jerusalem Studies Center, Dr. Ahmad Rafiq Awad, stated that China’s significant involvement in Middle Eastern affairs is a continuation of its various roles, given that it is a global power opposed to Western capitalist countries.
Can Hamas and Fatah reconcile under China’s mediation? Dr. Ahmad Rafiq Awad believes this is unlikely, as neither side called to Beijing would see it fitting to give China credit for ending the division.
Khalil Shaheen, head of the Palestine Strategic Research and Policy Center, also expressed skepticism about China’s ability to play a substantial role in reconciling the two organizations and achieving Palestinian independence. He believes China is merely exploiting the divisions between Hamas and Fatah to serve its political interests.
With its eye on the strategically important Middle East, China has begun to intervene in Middle Eastern affairs to play a significant role and reshape the geopolitical landscape, competing with the U.S. for dominance.
“China aims to have a say in reshaping the political landscape of the Middle East in the future, sharing power with the U.S. It wants to show the U.S. that it has significant influence in the rebuilding process and that if the U.S. and Israel want peace in the Middle East without trouble, they must make concessions to China,” Tang Jingyuan concluded.