China Criticizes US for Fueling Gaza Conflict

China's Increasing Role in Global Crises

China has been increasingly taking the lead among nations that disagree with the West's approach to managing global crises. The Asian nation has been vocal in its criticism of the United States' role in escalating conflicts in both Ukraine and Gaza, given that the US is the primary provider of weapons and financial support to Israel and Ukraine. Many countries in the Global South have shown a clear sympathy towards the Palestinian side in the Gaza crisis, and have continued to trade with Russia despite sanctions related to the Ukraine war.

Gaza: A New Wedge Issue

A recent report by Bloomberg highlights how China is leveraging the Gaza conflict to further alienate the Global South from US and Western policy. Last week, Chinese diplomat Fu Cong criticized the US at the United Nations for blocking a resolution supporting Palestinian membership, accusing the US of shattering the Palestinian people's long-held dream. This is seen as part of a larger pattern of China's efforts to sway opinion in developing countries against the US using the Gaza war as a wedge.

Joint Statement by China and France

Earlier this week, Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement urging Israel to refrain from a ground offensive in Rafah. They reiterated their call for a decisive relaunch of a political process to implement a two-state solution with Jerusalem as their capital. The Chinese foreign ministry also released a separate statement, strongly urging Israel to stop attacking Rafah and to prevent a serious humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.

China's Criticism of Washington's Hypocrisy

China has been vocal in its criticism of what it sees as Washington's hypocrisy. The Biden administration has been arming Israel while condemning the high Palestinian civilian death toll resulting from the use of these weapons. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, criticized the US for talking about a ceasefire while supplying weapons to Israel, contributing to what he referred to as the biggest humanitarian tragedy of the 21st century.

China's Mediation Efforts

China has recently initiated its own efforts to mediate the conflict, hosting officials from Hamas and Fatah in Beijing for rare talks aimed at achieving Palestinian political unity. According to the UK-based Institute for Strategic Dialogue, Chinese and Russian actors are capitalizing on the perceived unpopularity of Western policy towards Gaza, with the ultimate aim of promoting an alternate global power structure with themselves at the helm.

US Perception of Chinese and Russian Influence

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield recently expressed the view that Russia and China are not doing anything diplomatically to advance lasting peace, despite their fiery rhetoric. However, China has recently achieved a historic reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, demonstrating its positive mediation track record in the Middle East. This is in stark contrast to the US's role in the region over the past two decades, which has been marked by conflict and instability.

Conclusion

China's growing influence and active role in global crises are undeniable. The nation's criticism of the US's role in the Gaza conflict and its efforts to mediate the situation highlight its strategic positioning in global politics. However, it remains to be seen how these developments will shape the future of international relations. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think China's criticism of the US is justified? Share this article with your friends and let us know your thoughts. And don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is every day at 6pm.