Where do China-Israel ties stand after closure of consulate in Chengdu?
In a sign of fraying ties amid the Middle East conflict, Israel’s consulate general in Chengdu has closed with its consul general leaving his post, two years after a controversy stoked backlash among Chinese netizens. Nevertheless, an analyst has downplayed the impact of the news, saying bilateral relations in recent years had already been strained. In a letter published on Wednesday, Gadi Harpaz…
After the closure of Israel's consulate general in Chengdu, the ties between China and Israel continue to show signs of strain. Gadi Harpaz, the consul general who left his post, described his tenure as "the most memorable of his diplomatic career," but expressed sadness at its closure. Despite the consulate's departure, China and Israel have maintained consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong, in addition to their embassy in Beijing.
In April 2024, a poll conducted by a Tel Aviv-based think tank found that more than half of Israeli respondents viewed China as hostile or unfriendly. Meanwhile, China has consistently expressed support for Palestine and condemned Israel's military actions in Gaza. The closure of the consulate comes at a time when tensions between the two nations are growing, with Beijing urging for a ceasefire and condemning Israel's actions in the conflict.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
