Chinese Media Criticize US-Israel Military Ties to Bolster China’s Influence

Beijing has not publicly reacted to the Biden administration’s announcements on the supply of weapons to Israel. However, Chinese state-run media criticism of US-Israel military cooperation in the Hamas-Israel war aims to bolster China’s influence in the Middle East and undermine US leadership in the region. 

On 14 May the Biden administration notified Congress that it was moving forward with a new weapons package for Israel that is worth more than $1 billion. The weapons package “includes the potential transfer of $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles, and $60 million in mortar rounds,” according to the Wall St. Journal.  

• On 8 May, President Biden said during a CNN interview that he would halt some deliveries of US arms to Israel if Israel launched an all-out assault on Rafah, the city in southern Gaza where over a million Gaza refugees are sheltering. 
• Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd also confirmed the same day to a Senate panel that the US will pause the delivery of 1,700 500-pound bombs and 1,800 2,000-pound bombs. 
• However, President Biden stressed that the US would continue to provide defensive weapons to Israel. 

The Chinese government has not reacted to these US announcements, but Chinese media have reported on President Biden’s CNN interview. 

• Chinese state media analysts described the Biden administration’s decision as “a political show.” 
• According to Chinese analysts, President Biden’s 8 May statement was designed to “rescue the US international image.”
• Chinese media commentary amplified the heavy civilian casualties caused by the Israeli military operation has made the US, Israel’s largest arms supplier, “an accomplice in the eyes of the international community.” 
• Chinese media cited the UN General Assembly resolution on 10 May requesting the UN Security Council to consider Palestine’s full UN membership as an indication that the US is internationally isolated on the Middle East issue. 

Chinese analysts believe President Biden’s statement will not halt Israeli military operations since Israel has sufficient weapons to launch a wholesale offensive into Rafah.