China’s Role and Position in Israeli Foreign Policy

Document Type : Original Article

Author

PhD in International Relations Department of Political Science Faculty of Literature and Humanities University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

10.22099/ijas.2025.51834.1019

Abstract

Israel and China have sought to minimize their differences and establish common ground to advance their respective interests. However, in doing so, they have encountered various structural challenges, leading to shifts in their areas of engagement. While Israel-China relations offer significant opportunities, particularly as China's economic influence expands, they also present challenges, especially amid the intensifying strategic competition between China and the United States. As a distinct geopolitical actor, Israel is not immune to the tensions arising from Chinese investments and U.S. security concerns. This study examines how and under what conditions Israel navigates its foreign policy between these two major powers and what implications this balancing act has for Israeli diplomacy. Based on an analytical approach, the article's hypothesis argues that given the structural characteristics of Israeli foreign policy—particularly its alignment with U.S. interests—establishing a high-level strategic relationship between Israel and China remains fundamentally unlikely. The research findings indicate that Israel-China relations have followed a cyclical pattern of decline and renewal, with U.S. strategic considerations playing a decisive role in shaping Israel’s policy decisions over the past two decades, leading to a more pragmatic and realist approach.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Rostami, F., & Kahrizi, N. (2022). Security implications of China-Israel relations for the United States. Iranian Journal of International Politics, 11(1), 169–193.
Noormohammadi, M., & Afrasiaban, V. (2022). The impact of the Iran factor on military, economic, and political relations between China and the Israeli regime. International Studies, 19(1), 271–296.
116th Congress (2019). National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, s.l.: United States Congress.
Abrams, E. (2018). What’s Behind Israel’s Growing Ties with China?, s.l.: Council on Foreign Relations.
Berger, A. (2017). The Rising Strategic Value of Global Technology Assets and Its Impact on Sino-Israel Relations, s.l.: Sino-Israel Global Network & Academic Leadership Perspectives.
Chaziza, M. (2016). The Red-Med Railway: New Opportunities for China, Israel, and the Middle East, Ramat Gan: Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies Perspectives.
Cohen, T. (2019). Reuters. [Online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israeltech-exits/israeli-tech-exits-in-2019-doubledto-nearly-10-billion-idUSKBN1YS0L9
Coren, O. (2014). Washington Obstructing Israeli High-Tech Exports to China, s.l.: Haaretz.
Coren, O. (2019). Haaretz. [Online] Available at: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/.premium-israel-electric-company-to-sell-plant-to-group-that-includes-chinese-firm-1.7431580
Data and Insight, (2018). Israeli High-Tech – Chinese Investments. [Online]
Available at: http://www.ivc-online.com/Portals/0/RC/
Ehrlich, R. (2018). Asia Times. [Online] Available at: https://asiatimes.com/2018/12/is-china-getting-too-close-to-israel/
Evron, Y., 2017. The Economic Dimension of China-Israel Relations: Political Implication Roles and Limitations. Israel Affairs, 3(5), pp. 828-847.
Gao, C. (2017). The Diplomat. [Online] Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2017/12/whats-chinas-stance-on-trumps-jerusalem-decision/
Hadar, L. (2010). Foreign Policy. [Online] Available at: https://foreignpolicy.com/2010/06/26/the-collapse-of-israels-periphery-doctrine/
Kandel, R. (2019). Haaretz. [Online] Available at: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/.premium-chinese-tourism-rose-67-in-first-half-of-2019-1.7436346
Keck, Z., (2014). the Diplomat. [Online] Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2014/08/chinese-hackers-target-israels-iron-dome/
Lones, C. (2019). China’s great game in the Middle East, Berlin: The European Council on Foreign Relations.
MFA. (2013). Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. [Online] Available at: https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/PressRoom/2013/Pages/PM-Netanyahu-meets-Chinese-President-Xi-Jinping-9-May-2013.aspx
Morris, B. (2012). Israel's New Allies. [Online] Available at: https://nationalinterest.org/commentary/israels-new-allies-6441
Parsi, T. (2013). Foreign Affairs. [Online] Available at: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2013-10-01/pushing-peace
People's Daily Online, (2018). Chinese railway technologies promoting light rail construction in Israel. [Online] Available at: http://en.people.cn/n3/2018/0628/c90000-9475872.html
Prime Minister’s Office, (2013). PM Netanyahu’s Remarks at the Israeli Presidential Conference, Jerusalem: s.n.
Rachman, G. (2017). Easternization: Asia's Rise and America's Decline From Obama to Trump and Beyond. s.l.:Other Press.
Rosenberg, D. (2019). Haaretz. [Online] Available at: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-will-have-to-choose-between-america-and-china-1.6822921
Scheer, S. (2019). Reuters. [Online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/israel-electricity-reform/update-1-groupincluding-china-harbour-wins-tender-forisraeli-power-plant-idUSL8N2432AB
Strohm, C. (2015). Bloomberg. [Online]                       Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-18/no-sign-china-has-stopped-hacking-u-s-companies-official-says
Xinhua, (2015). Made in China 2025’ Plan Unveiled. [Online] Available at: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2015-05/19/content_20760528.htm
Iranian Journal of Asian Studies
Volume 1, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
January 2025
Pages 29-52

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics