China tells Israel to stop illegal settlements in West Bank

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Israel to halt the forced establishment of settlements in the occupied West Bank and reverse its actions, according to a statement from China's Foreign Ministry.

During a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Azerbaijan, Wang reiterated China's position that the Palestinian issue represents one of the greatest historical injustices of the century.

Herzog said in a post on X that Thursday's meeting focused on bilateral relations and the situation in the Middle East. However, his office declined to comment on discussions concerning the West Bank or the Palestinians.

China has long supported the Palestinian cause and maintained that a two-state solution remains the appropriate path toward resolving the conflict.

Beijing has also sought to strengthen its role as a mediator in Middle Eastern affairs.

In 2023, China brokered an agreement to restore diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia after years of tensions. More recently, China joined Pakistan in diplomatic efforts to propose a ceasefire in the US-Israel war against Iran.