China says Israel should stop its 'forced establishment' of West Bank settlements - Reuters

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Baku, Azerbaijan, where he urged Israel to halt and reverse what he described as the “forced establishment” of settlements in the occupied West Bank. The discussion took place during a broader diplomatic engagement in the city.

Wang said that the settlement activity contravenes international expectations and called on Israel to stop further expansion, emphasizing that any new construction should be halted immediately. He added that existing settlements should be addressed as part of a comprehensive solution.

The minister reiterated China’s long‑standing support for a two‑state solution to the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict, describing it as the appropriate path toward lasting peace. He highlighted the urgent need to fully reopen the Gaza Strip to humanitarian aid and other supplies to prevent a widening humanitarian catastrophe.

Beijing expressed its willingness to cooperate with the international community to encourage all parties to return to dialogue as soon as possible and to pursue a political settlement that respects the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.

Wang was in Baku to attend the Seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence‑Building Measures in Asia, serving as President Xi Jinping’s special representative. The summit brings together regional leaders to discuss security, confidence‑building and broader diplomatic issues.

Earlier in September, President Xi visited Cairo, his first trip to Egypt in a decade, where he called on Middle Eastern countries to resist external interference and consider reshaping the region’s security architecture. The Baku talks also touched on the broader context of the U.S.–Israel confrontation with Iran, reflecting Beijing’s interest in a more active role in Middle Eastern affairs.