China not only pursues peace talks to resolve the crisis in Ukraine but also supports an international peace summit recognized by Russia and Ukraine with equal participation of all parties. However, Russia has not been invited to the peace summit expected to be held in Switzerland in June 2024. China has called on Western countries to invite Russia to this conference, underlying the importance of the participation of both countries in resolving this crisis. Despite China’s efforts being unsuccessful, according to Reuters, China rejected the invitation to participate in the peace summit.[1]
China’s efforts to resolve the political crisis in Ukraine have been noticeable. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Beijing on 16-27 May 2024. In an interview with China’s Xinhua news agency before his official visit to Beijing, Putin praised China’s approach regarding the Ukraine conflict and emphasized that this approach is “realistic and constructive” to overcome the “Cold War mentality.”[2] Even though Russia and China have similar views on the causes of the war, they differ from the solutions of the war. In China’s 12-point position paper, which was publicized in February 2023, the importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country was underlined. On the other hand, Russia and China agreed upon the organization of an international peace summit, with equal participation from both parties.
After meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on 16 April 2024, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that both countries agreed to support the Ukraine peace summit that will be held in Switzerland in June.[3] Hence, while hosting the German Chancellor, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared four new principles for resolving the Ukraine crisis.[4] In this sense, Xi advocated for “minimizing the impact on the global economy, avoiding actions which would increase the tensions, managing the conflict and re-establishing peace and stability by moving away from selfish interests.”[5]
At that time, it was constantly mentioned that Russia would not be invited to the peace summit. Nevertheless, until the last minute, China continued to advocate for the summit to include equal participation from both countries. At this point, China’s involvement without Russia in the peace summit seems unlikely.
In addition to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, China pursued proactive political movements to ease multiple conflicts, such as Houthis attacks in the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia-Iran tension, Israel-Hamas war, and Israel-Iran tensions. Considering its political, economic, military, and energy relations with the Middle East, China might be seen as one of the most critical powers for promoting regional peace.
On 30 May 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a peace summit to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict and to end the “suffering” in Gaza.[6] In the China-Arab countries cooperation summit, which took place in Beijing, President Xi, speaking to the Arab leaders, declared that Israel’s occupation in Gaza “cannot continue indefinitely” and underlined that they will continue to help resolve this crisis and ease the humanitarian crisis.[7] In his speech, Xi concluded, “The Middle East is a region with immense potential for development, but the war continues.”[8]
In the Israel-Palestine conflict, China has demanded a two-state solution, an instant ceasefire, and Palestine’s membership to the UN. The interests of Arab countries are in alignment with this position. It is crucial to recall that in 2023, China played a significant role in resolving the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran and helped stabilize the Red Sea crisis. China urged Iran to use its influence over Houthis to stop their attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Failure to do so, China warned that Beijing’s relations with Tehran would be damaged.
The United States favors China’s attempts to de-escalate the crises in the Middle East. Most recently, China’s efforts to call for a resolution of the tension between Israel and Iran were essential. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China made the following statement on 14 April 2024:[9]
“China urges all concerned parties to remain calm and use restraint to prevent further tensions. China urges the international community, especially influential countries, to contribute to preserving regional peace and stability.”
China believes that the real solution relies on the US’s impact on Israel.[10] In the UN Security Council, the US’s support for Israel led to the continuing war in Palestine. Therefore, it is believed that the US’s efforts to de-escalate the crisis in the Middle East are insincere. China anticipates that the US needs to support efforts to de-escalate the crisis within the UN rather than providing unilateral support to Israel. While Washington attempts to distance itself from the crisis in the Middle East, Washington expects that Beijing will pursue a more significant effort toward regional peace. While Western allies put pressure on Israel to reduce the tensions, they expect Beijing’s help. This circumstance emphasizes how international communities seek China’s support.
Consequently, China has a crucial role in resolving the Israel-Palestine crisis. Beijing sees the main reasons for both crises as the support of Western countries to Israel and Ukraine. Peace conferences are unlikely to succeed if the policies that deepen the crises more.
[1] “Exclusive: China will not join Swiss peace conference on Ukraine, sources say”, Reuters, https://t.ly/UK7Ot, (Date of Accession: 31.05.2024).
[2] “Exclusive: China will not join Swiss peace conference on Ukraine, sources say”, Reuters, https://t.ly/UK7Ot, (Date of Accession: 31.05.2024).
[3] “Scholz Says Agreed With Xi To Back Swiss Peace Conference On Ukraine”, Barrons, https://www.barrons.com/news/scholz-says-agreed-with-xi-to-back-swiss-peace-conference-on-ukraine-af60961f, (Date of Accession: 15.05.2024).
[4] “Xi puts forth four principles to resolve Ukraine crisis”, The State Council-PRC, https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202404/16/content_WS661e4336c6d0868f4e8e61fa.html, (Date of Accession: 15.05.2024).
[5] Ibid.
[6] “China’s Xi calls for peace conference to end ‘tremendous suffering’ in Gaza”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/30/chinas-xi-calls-for-peace-conference-to-end-tremendous-suffering-in-gaza, (Erişim Tarihi: 15.05.2024).
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] “China ‘deeply concerned’ about escalation after Iran strikes Israel”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/china-deeply-concerned-about-escalation-after-iran-strikes-israel-2024-04-14/, (Date of Accession: 15.04.2024).
[10] Ibid.
