In a surprising move, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer has called on President Xi Jinping of China to support the U.S. and Israeli alliance. This follows reports that China has stated that the future of humanity will ultimately depend on how the relationship between the U.S. and China fares.
The two countries are currently locked in a trade dispute, which domestic Chinese state media have criticized as “economic bullying”. Schumer’s call for Chinese leadership to back American support for Israel was made on Twitter, where the senator said that “it is in the best interest of China to support our efforts”.
This is an unusual move, given the historic hostility between the two nations. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1979, relations between the U.S. and China have been strained. China, for its part, has been vocal in voicing its opposition to U.S. foreign policy. This comes to a head with the U.S. backing for the state of Israel, which China has long rejected, labelling it an oppressive regime.
The recent call from Schumer stands in stark contrast to the earlier statements from Chinese leaders regarding their country’s stance on the Middle East peace process. President Xi recently declared that “China does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, let alone impose pressure or meddle in other countries’ foreign affairs.”
Given the difficult history between the U.S. and China, Schumer’s call for unity could actually bear some fruit. If China is truly sincere in its commitment to global peace and progress, then backing the U.S. and Israeli alliance could be a step in the right direction. It could also be seen as a signal of good faith in the face of intense diplomatic tension.
Although China’s support for the Middle East peace process has been lacking, the fledgling relationship between the two nations has seen some progress as of late. In 2017 President Xi invited Trump to visit China, a move seen as a sign of goodwill from both sides. More recently, talks between the two countries have touched upon issues such as counterterrorism and nuclear proliferation.
Ultimately, however, only time will tell if Schumer’s call for unity will be answered. For now, it remains to be seen whether China will show genuine support for the U.S. and Israeli alliance or simply continue its diplomatic stalemate.