Chinese tech giants Baidu and Alibaba found themselves at the center of an international controversy on 30 October 2023 when their mapping services appeared to exclude Israel. This incident sparked speculation that Beijing was implicitly supporting Hamas in the ongoing conflict with Israel. Chinese officials quickly clarified that Israel was indeed represented on official maps and that no recent changes had occurred since Hamas’ 7 October attack on Israel. The Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized China’s neutral stance, asserting respect for both Israel’s right to self-defense and Palestinian rights under international law. China’s initial response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, urging restraint and a two-state solution without condemning Hamas, contrasted sharply with the firm positions taken by the United States and some European nations. Under international pressure, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated support for Israel’s right to self-defense but stressed adherence to international humanitarian law. This stance reflects a slight shift in Beijing’s rhetoric, increasingly sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. A Downward Spiral On 25 October, China vetoed a U.S. resolution at the UN, calling for a humanitarian pause that did not address lifting Israel’s siege on Gaza, a move welcomed…
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