China urges Israel to stop the “forced establishment” of West Bank settlements, calling on the Israeli government to halt and reverse the practice as Beijing renews its support for Palestinian statehood and a political resolution to the conflict.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the appeal during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Azerbaijan, according to a statement released by China’s foreign ministry on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Wang reiterated China’s longstanding position that the Palestinian question represents one of the century’s greatest historical injustices, while emphasising the importance of peace, reconciliation and renewed diplomatic engagement across the Middle East.
He also reaffirmed Beijing’s support for a two-state solution and identified full humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip as an immediate priority to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
China Calls on Israel to Stop ‘Forced Establishment’ of West Bank Settlements
During his meeting with Herzog, Wang called on Israel to stop and reverse what China’s foreign ministry described as the “forced establishment” of settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
The statement reflects Beijing’s longstanding opposition to Israeli settlement activity in Palestinian territory and its position that the conflict requires a negotiated political resolution.
Wang stressed that promoting peace and reconciliation in the region remains central to China’s Middle East policy, describing these objectives as the “cornerstone” of Beijing’s regional approach.
His remarks placed the West Bank settlement issue alongside the humanitarian situation in Gaza and broader international efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Wang Yi Reaffirms China’s Position on Palestine
China has consistently supported the Palestinian cause and advocated a political settlement based on the establishment of two states.
During the meeting, Wang reiterated Beijing’s position that the two-state solution represents the appropriate path towards resolving the longstanding conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
According to China’s foreign ministry, Wang also emphasised the need to fully open access to the Gaza Strip immediately to prevent a humanitarian “catastrophe” from spreading.
His remarks underlined China’s view that international diplomatic efforts must address both the political dimensions of the conflict and the urgent humanitarian needs of civilians.
China Says Two-State Solution Remains the Right Path
Wang’s comments reinforced Beijing’s support for a negotiated settlement that would allow Israelis and Palestinians to coexist in separate states.
The two-state solution has remained a central framework in international diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, although disagreements over territory, security, settlements and Palestinian statehood have complicated progress.
China has repeatedly called for renewed dialogue and international cooperation to advance a political settlement.
In Friday’s statement, Wang said Beijing was willing to work with the international community to encourage all parties to return to dialogue and consultation as soon as possible.
He added that China wanted diplomatic efforts to focus on achieving a political settlement rather than allowing the conflict to continue without a lasting resolution.
Humanitarian Access to Gaza Identified as an Immediate Priority
Alongside the West Bank settlement issue, Wang highlighted the urgent need to ensure full access to the Gaza Strip.
China’s foreign ministry said the Chinese foreign minister called for immediate action to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe from spreading.
Humanitarian access remains a central issue in international discussions about the conflict, particularly regarding the delivery of essential supplies and assistance to civilians affected by the crisis.
Wang’s remarks connected the immediate need for humanitarian access with China’s broader call for a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Beijing’s position, as outlined in the statement, is that diplomatic engagement should proceed alongside efforts to address urgent humanitarian concerns.
China’s Middle East Policy and Relations With Israel
China’s statement also reflects the complex relationships shaping Beijing’s approach to the Middle East.
While China has long supported the Palestinian cause, it also maintains diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.
At the same time, Beijing has developed close relations with Iran, Israel’s principal regional adversary, giving China diplomatic connections across opposing sides of the region’s political divisions.
China has presented itself as a supporter of dialogue and negotiations, advocating international cooperation to resolve disputes and reduce regional tensions.
Its latest appeal to Israel therefore comes within a broader diplomatic approach that combines support for Palestinian aspirations with calls for negotiations and a political settlement.
Beijing Calls for International Cooperation
Wang said China was prepared to work with the international community to encourage the parties involved in the conflict to resume dialogue.
The foreign ministry’s statement did not announce a new agreement between China and Israel, nor did it indicate that Israel had accepted Beijing’s demands concerning West Bank settlements.
Instead, it communicated China’s position on the conflict and its preference for a diplomatic resolution based on negotiations.
The meeting with Herzog provided an opportunity for Wang to communicate Beijing’s concerns directly to Israel’s president while reiterating China’s longstanding position on Palestinian statehood and the occupied territories.
West Bank Settlements Remain a Major International Issue
Israeli settlements in the West Bank have remained a major point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a recurring subject of international diplomatic debate.
The territory is among the areas central to Palestinian aspirations for an independent state, making settlement activity an important issue in discussions about the future boundaries of a potential Palestinian state.
China’s call for Israel to stop and reverse what it described as the “forced establishment” of settlements reflects Beijing’s stated position that a political settlement must address the Palestinian question.
Wang’s remarks also emphasised that the situation in Gaza cannot be separated from broader diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
By calling for immediate humanitarian access and renewed dialogue, Beijing highlighted both the urgency of civilian needs and the importance of a longer-term political agreement.
What Happens Next?
China’s latest appeal adds to international diplomatic pressure over West Bank settlements and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
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However, the foreign ministry’s statement did not indicate whether Israel would take action in response to Wang’s remarks.
The statement also did not announce any specific new diplomatic initiative or agreement arising from the meeting between Wang and Herzog in Azerbaijan.
For now, China’s position remains focused on ending the “forced establishment” of settlements, reversing the practice, improving humanitarian access to Gaza and advancing the two-state solution.
Wang’s comments underline Beijing’s intention to continue engaging with international partners in pursuit of a political settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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