China Largely Abandons Neutrality Stance in Israel-Hamas War as Beijing Ramps Up Mideast Diplomacy

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed the Israel-Hamas war for the first time and said Israel had gone too far in its war with Hamas. PEDRO PARDO / AFP

After initially declaring its neutrality in the war between Israel and Hamas that erupted on October 7, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke out forcefully in defense of the Palestinians and accused the Jewish State of going “beyond self-defense.”

Wang spoke at length on the issue during a press conference on Friday with EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell and made it clear Beijing is going to align its position in defense of the Palestinians and in line with the larger Arab community.

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by Eric Olander

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