China’s Mideast role

China is leading from the front in Mideast diplomacy. The gathering of Arab and Muslim states ministers in Beijing simply confirmed the fact that China has a role to play in one of the most volatile regions of the world. Its eagerness to address the imbroglio in Palestine, and to bring an end to the ongoing carnage is Gaza has seen some silent messaging for the last one month. China’s refusal to condemn Hamas’ adventure and at the same time criticise Israeli atrocities was part of its tactful maneuvering. Having played a pivotal role in brokering a thaw between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and cementing a robust economic partnership with Arab states, it is now eyeing the historic dispute of Palestine.

The fact that top diplomats from the OIC Secretariat, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia and Palestine met Chinese Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Wang Yi testifies that something out of the box is in store for Gazans. The delegation is also scheduled to meet officials representing each of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council in an attempt to broker an immediate ceasefire, and enable rehabilitation of around two million Gazans. China’s taking on a lead role and the trust of Arab emissaries by air-dashing to Beijing is a new leaf in multipolarity, and comes at the cost of American leadership in the region. The Biden administration’s bias is no secret, and with public opinion campaigning for an end to war in Gaza, there is little doubt that new poles of power are stepping in the Mideast.

China’s special heart for the Muslim world was evident as it was invited as a Special Observer at Islamabad’s OIC FM’s Extra-Ordinary meeting in March 2021. Taking a cue from it, there is enough leverage that Beijing can exercise to corner American hegemony as well as its adamancies at the UN Security Council. The new mosaic of realpolitik suggests that the Muslim world is rallying along with China and Russia, and this is where the litmus test comes for the US. An instant ceasefire and a sustained roadmap for a two-state solution is indispensable.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2023.

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