Jonathan Cristol, an expert on international relations and Middle East politics, discusses China's relationship with Hamas and Israel, China's support for Hamas in international institutions, the impacts of recent terrorist attacks on Israel, and the perception of China and Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank. The podcast also explores Israel's approach towards Hamas and the potential future of the organization.
China views Hamas as a legitimate political party and has not condemned their recent attacks on innocent Israeli civilians.
China prioritizes its economic interests in the Middle East and avoids getting too involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
China's good relations with Muslim-majority countries are driven by economic needs and public perception manipulation, despite concerns about its human rights abuses.
Deep dives
China's View of Hamas
China views Hamas as a legitimate political party and does not label it as a terrorist organization like the US and some Western European countries do. China's position is that Hamas is a resistance movement. They have not condemned the recent Hamas attacks and have been disappointed by Israel's response. China's arms sales to Iran could potentially allow Iranian weapons to reach Hamas, but China has not taken any steps to mitigate this flow. China has not made any official statements on the Israel-Hamas conflict or the recent discovery of Chinese-manufactured weapons in Gaza.
China's Role in the Israel-Hamas War
China has played a somewhat passive role in the Israel-Hamas conflict. They have provided minimal humanitarian aid to the Palestinian Authority and have largely avoided getting involved in internal Palestinian dynamics. China's focus seems to be on maintaining its trade relationships and avoiding being seen as taking sides. They have not positioned themselves as a neutral arbiter and their involvement has been limited. China's approach seems to prioritize its economic interests and avoid getting too entangled in the conflict.
China's Relations with Muslim Majority Countries
China has relatively good relations with most Muslim-majority countries, which is somewhat baffling given its treatment of Muslim Uighurs and other human rights concerns. China's involvement with these countries is driven by economic needs, such as its reliance on oil imports from the Persian Gulf. China's market size and willingness to invest make it an attractive partner, and it can manipulate media and control press coverage to maintain positive perceptions. However, there is growing awareness and concern about China's human rights abuses among the general public.
China's Strategy in the Middle East
China's strategy in the Middle East is focused on protecting its economic interests and avoiding conflict. They aim to stay out of local politics and maintain relationships with all countries in the region. This approach allows China to pursue its economic agenda without getting involved in complex regional dynamics. China's main concern is maintaining the flow of oil from the region and avoiding disruptions to its trade relationships. However, China lacks the deep expertise and historical knowledge of the region, making it challenging for them to navigate complex situations effectively.
Israel's Future Relations with China
Israel's relationship with China may undergo a shift in the future. While China is currently an important trading partner for Israel, supplying technology and investment, Israel's recent experience with Chinese-manufactured weapons in Gaza and China's support for Hamas could lead to a reassessment of this relationship. There may be a growing realization that China cannot be fully trusted and that Israel's long-term interests align more closely with the United States. Additionally, Israel could face pressure to limit Chinese investment in sensitive industries and infrastructure projects. The ultimate impact will depend on the future political landscape and leadership in Israel.
China is one of Israel's biggest trading partners, and a big investor in Israel's tech industry. However, after Oct. 7, it turned out that that relationship was only skin deep. China never condemned Hamas's attack on innocent Israeli civilians and has shown support for Hamas in other not-so-subtle ways. In this episode of China Unscripted, we discuss the China-Hamas relationship, Israel's relationship with China, and how China is perceived in the Middle East. Joining us in this episode is Jonathan Cristol, a professor of international affairs at Yeshiva University in New York City and author of "The United States and the Taliban before and after 9/11".
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