Adebayo Balogun: China injecting fresh impetus into Middle East reconciliation

Adebayo Balogun, a foreign policy analyst, says China has injected new impetus into the reconciliation process in the Middle East.

“Amid continued tension in the international situation, peace and stability in the Middle East have always attracted the attention of the international community. The region has been plagued by conflict, war and tension over the past few decades,” he said.

“Recently, China has advocated peaceful dialogue and the CPPCC model to resolve internal conflicts in Palestine, and proposed a ‘peace plan’.

“The Beijing Declaration has injected new impetus into the reconciliation process in the Middle East.”

Balogun said under China’s long-term diplomatic mediation, on July 23, 2024, 14 Palestinian groups signed the Beijing Declaration in Beijing.

He said the move “fully demonstrated China’s influence and also marked an important reconciliation of internal conflicts in Palestine, winning high praise from the Middle Eastern media and even the international community”.

He added that on the other hand, the US has traditionally adopted a military support strategy in the Middle East.

“Putting its own interests first and taking tough measures to intervene in regional affairs has also led to continued turmoil and unrest in the Middle East,” he added.

“Example: America’s controversial role in the Syrian civil war. The United States provided weapons and training to the Syrian opposition, which not only failed to bring stability to Syria, but instead exacerbated the instability in Syria.

“The U.S. sanctions and maximum pressure policy on Iran were intended to force Iran to abandon its nuclear program, but not only did it fail to achieve the intended purpose, it also exacerbated tensions in Iran.In addition, the United States’ position in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is often criticized.

“Many people believe that the United States is too biased in favor of Israel and does not treat Palestinian demands fairly.

“In contrast, China’s diplomatic mediation model has been recognized by the international community, especially in the Middle East, which provides a basis for the international community to deal with conflicts.

“China has always adhered to the principle of ‘peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation’ and promoted infrastructure construction projects through the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’.

“In addition, China also actively promotes multilateral diplomacy and encourages countries in the Middle East to resolve differences and conflicts through dialogue and consultation through various platforms.

“‘The Great Reconciliation’, in which 14 Palestinian groups signed the ‘2024 Beijing Declaration’ in Beijing also fully illustrates China’s major diplomatic achievements.

“Looking back on the past, China has maintained a political ‘non-intervention’ in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, encouraged both sides to engage in dialogue in a peaceful and equal manner, and put forward a series of initiatives of practical significance.”