Beijing [China], November 2 : With a global trend emerging currently where nations increasingly rely on China for economic ties and the US for security, many countries are in a difficult position, choosing to remain neutral in the rivalry between the two powers, the Asia Times reported on Saturday.
However, Israel, facing hostility from surrounding nations and engaged in ongoing security conflicts, prioritises national security and relies heavily on US support, as reported by the Asia Times.
China, lacking the security aspect in any bilateral ties, fails to replace the US in the Middle East.
The US's strong backing of Israel is rooted in a partnership, while China does not share such ties and has no incentive to defend Israel, as reported by the Asia Times.
Although China would like a strategic foothold in the region, its primary focus remains on East Asia and issues like Taiwan, which it views as a territory to be unified with the mainland.
Moreover, China's political structure and absence of a Jewish diaspora diminish its susceptibility to Israeli influence, and even if China were inclined to support Israel, it would struggle to do so given the tightening geopolitical constraints since the US's "Pivot to Asia" in 2012, the Asia Times reported.
Countries like Japan, India, and Australia are collaborating to contain China, limiting its naval capabilities and focusing on East Asia.
Following Hamas's attacks on civilians on October 7, China has avoided directly condemning Hamas, opting instead for vague statements about violence against civilians that include criticism of Israel. This reluctance to single out Hamas, which is not favoured by many Arab nations, raises questions about China's understanding of the dynamics in the region, the Asia Times reported.
China's silence after the October 7 attack has strained its relationship with Israel, and its statements have begun to lean towards criticising Israel for its actions in Gaza without addressing Hamas by name. This shift indicates a move away from neutrality.
Since Donald Trump's administration, the US has urged countries to distance themselves from China. As anti-Israel sentiment grows in the Global South amid the Gaza conflict, China sees an opportunity to counter the US narrative. Historically, China has benefitted from conflicts in the Middle East but now believes it can gain more by aligning with the Global South and criticising the US.
While some perceive China as a global power, it still lags behind the US in military and economic strength and lacks its ideological appeal. China fears that a US-led coalition could isolate it, pushing it back to a state of economic disadvantage. To counter this, China aims to consolidate support among nations with shared grievances against the US, which could shift the global power balance in its favour, the Asia Times reported.
This strategy appears effective, as seen in recent developments with Saudi Arabia, which declined a US defence pact that aimed to limit its dealings with China. As long as China can avoid isolation by the US, Israel--despite its significance--becomes less of a concern in the broader geopolitical landscape.