Beijing has been a supporter of the Palestinians since the Mao era and long called for a two-state solution, but it is increasingly close to Israel, and is presenting itself as a neutral party that holds steadfast to a noninterference principle.
Beijing is also trying to build on its minimal but growing influence in the Middle East, where it has major economic interests, and also presenting itself as a leader of the global south, and furthering its anti-US agenda.
A week on from the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel, in which 1,400 people, mostly civilians, were killed, China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, called for a global peace conference and accused Israel of going “beyond the scope of self defence” in its bombing of Gaza. On 16 October, Xi Jinping called for a ceasefire
China is acting in accord with expectations regarding the Red-Green axis. Let’s not forget the China-brokered Saudi-Iran rapprochement. And now China is applauding Australia for its rejection of a US call for the “broadest possible” maritime coalition to protect ships in the the Red Sea from attacks from the Iran-aligned Houthis. China’s reaction is a declaration of hostility to America and Israel.
While Australia has been condemned as “weak” and for “spitting in the face” of allies, the country did state that it will be “almost tripling” its “contribution to the Combined Maritime Force”:
Up to six extra Australian Defence Force officers will be deployed to the Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain in early 2024 and another five personnel will be embedded in the CMF headquarters for Operation Manitou, which supports international maritime security efforts in the Middle East and East Africa.
The only Muslim country to join the coalition is Bahrain.
“China Applauds Australia’s Retreat from Red Sea International Naval Mission,” by Simon Kent, Breitbart, December 20, 2023:
The Chinese government was quick to cheer Australia’s rejection of a United States’ call to send a warship to help police vital Red Sea trade routes, gushing Wednesday that Canberra was finally stepping out of America’s “shadow.”
In an opinion piece published by China’s tame state-run media – the Global Times newspaper – author Jerry Grey celebrated the left-wing Labor government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reported refusal to send a warship to the Middle East, and Australia’s recent U.N. vote for a ceasefire in contrast to that of the U.S..
“(Australia) has finally stepped out of the US’ shadow to call for a ceasefire and could potentially act as a mediator in the conflict if needed. That opportunity will be lost if it has a military presence in the region. It is sensible for Australia to continue distancing itself from the US,” the paper said…