For Palestinian-Israeli Peace, China Wants Palestinian Factions to Dialogue with Each Other

Palestine hopes in China and other countries to help bring about peace and independence. China was present in the Middle East when there was a vacuum for the role of the big powers there.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

KOMPAS/KRIS MADA

Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Lu Kang explained China's foreign policy on Monday (June 26, 2023) in a seminar entitled "China's Influence in the Middle East and Opportunities for Stability and Peace", held by the School of Strategic and Global Studies at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The dialogue between internal Palestinian factions is an important factor in achieving peace between Palestine and Israel. Therefore, China is not only striving for dialogue between Palestine and Israel alone.

The Chinese ambassador to Jakarta, Lu Kang, stated that the peace between Israel and Palestine is a matter of interest for many parties. Various breakthroughs are needed to achieve it. "Not only the Palestine-Israel dialogue, the peace process requires dialogue amongst the parties in Palestine," he said at a seminar titled "China's Influence in the Middle East and Opportunities for Stability and Peace" on Monday (June 26, 2023) in Jakarta.

The School of Strategic and Global Studies at the University of Indonesia held a seminar by inviting speakers from several universities. In addition to UI, speakers from Al-Quds University in Palestine and Central China Normal University were present.

Central China Normal University lecturer, Zhang Xian, stated that China is not a new player in the efforts for peace between Palestine and Israel. In recent years, China has established several dialogue forums for Israel and Palestine. "So, this is not a new thing for China," he said.

Also read: China Wants to Realize an Independent Palestinian State

China has many interests in the stability of the Middle East, including with regards to peace between Palestine and Israel. Currently, China has become an important trading partner for several countries in the region. Additionally, the Middle East is one of its important energy suppliers. All of this requires stability in the region.

High hopes

Lu Kang stated that Beijing is aware of the expectations of several parties for China to contribute to the peace between Palestine and Israel. One of the reasons behind China's success in facilitating the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

"I have noticed that China's success in mediating this historic reconciliation has received widespread attention in Indonesia. Many officials and politicians have congratulated the Chinese government," he said.

However, according to Lu Kang, the Saudi Arabia-Iran government and people should be praised for the reconciliation. Their desire for peace and stability in the relationship between the two countries and the region was an important factor in the reconciliation. "China has never hesitated to support efforts to seek peace and stability," he said.

AP/POOL PHOTO/JADE GAO

Chinese President Xi Jinping received Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on June 14, 2023, in Beijing, China. China is now expected to become the peace mediator between Palestine and Israel. Previously, China successfully mediated the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

For Beijing, the Middle East's acceptance of China cannot be separated from China's policies. "China has always believed that the fate of the Middle East should be determined by Middle Easterners," said Lu Kang.

Zhang stated that China arrived in the Middle East when there was a vacuum of power in the area. Over the past few years, the United States and its allies have been busy in the Indo-Pacific. Washington and its allies have forgotten the Middle East. "China is filling that void," he said.

China's significant role today includes a long-term diplomatic investment. For years, China has had a number of dialogue forums with various countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

In the context of Iran-Saudi Arabia, China has a good relationship with both countries. Therefore, China can become a trusted party by both sides.

Al Quds University lecturer, Amneh Badran, said that Palestine hopes for China and other countries to help achieve peace and independence. So far, Palestine has not seen any other country really trying to achieve Palestine's independence. "Israel is the western front line in the heart of the Middle East," she said.

Read also: China Offers Three Points for Palestine-Israel Peace Proposal

The West, according to him, is trying to maintain its influence in the Middle East. Thus, they can continue to exploit the region's natural resources for Western interests. With that condition, it is difficult to expect fair treatment of Palestine in the Palestine-Israel issue. This situation is one of the main obstacles to the independence of Palestine.

On the contrary, according to Badran, China may be accepted because they really want to acknowledge other countries as their partners. "There is no effort to make other countries run their agenda, as other countries did. They do not promote ideology and its value," he said.

Despite this, there are still challenges for China in its efforts to get closer to Palestine. China allowed the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to open a representative office in Beijing since 1965. In addition, China supports Palestine becoming a full member of the United Nations. This support is the same as recognizing Palestine as a country. However, for the United States and some countries, Palestine has not yet become a country.