China and Arab National Security

Dr. Alaa Al-Deek

After reading Dr. Iyad Barghouti's article entitled Arab National Security... I am "Palestine", Father, which was published in Al-Quds newspaper on March 8, 2025, I found that this article has scientific value and a national vision par excellence, not only at the Palestinian level, but also at the regional and international levels. Accordingly, this article must be given attention by experts and researchers in Palestinian affairs and international relations in order to analyze and explain the important points contained therein, so that they may become general plans and policies for many regional and international countries that seek to protect security, peace, justice and equality towards others. This is what encouraged me to write this article, which will analyze four main issues: Israel's disregard for the Arab regimes and its official announcement of imposing a new concept to rebuild a new Middle East as if it were the decision-maker. The Trump administration's disregard for Arab positions and its continued support for Israel and approval of all its future plans for the region. The official Arab position towards the unity of position and the serious endeavor to resolve the Palestinian issue with a comprehensive and just solution in accordance with what was stated in the Arab Peace Initiative in 2002. Finally, the interest in the effectiveness of Chinese diplomatic efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue and the insistence on building a more just and equitable multilateral international system, and this requires a firm and joint Arab-Palestinian position in all international forums in this regard.

It is noticeable that the current Israeli government, especially after Trump took office in the White House on January 20, does not pay any attention to the official positions of the Arab regimes regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict or the developments taking place in Palestine, as Israel announced the cessation of aid to Gaza and the naming of the West Bank "Judea and Samaria" in preparation for its annexation, and also stressed the need to rebuild a new Middle East in line with its new security and strategic vision. In addition, Israel welcomed Trump's call to deport the Palestinians, and Israel has already taken the initiative to seriously consider opening the door to voluntary immigration for Palestinians who wish to do so. Not to mention the identical American and Israeli positions regarding the day after the war on Gaza, which is to manage and control Gaza. Accordingly, the official Arab position has not yet affected those future policies and initiatives from the American and Israeli sides towards the region and Palestine. Therefore, the Arabs and Palestinians must rethink other ways to protect their national gains and national security, away from betting on a possible change in the Israeli-American position in the future.

This certainly comes in conjunction with Trump's announcement of his new policies towards the Arab region and Palestine, the most important of which is threatening the Palestinians with a comprehensive war and the expected hell if all detainees are not released, controlling Gaza after the war, calling for the displacement of Palestinians to Jordan, Egypt or other countries, re-exporting banned weapons to Israel, and defending Israel in international forums. This position makes Israel uninterested in peace and considers it a waste of time. It is also an incentive for it to complete its future plans regarding the region, especially towards Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. Accordingly, the American position today is considered a green light for Israel to practice its expansionist and colonial policies in the region and Palestine, which may threaten international security and peace and hinder international efforts aimed at enhancing stability and calm in the region and Palestine.

Regarding the official Arab position towards unity of opinion and serious efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue in a comprehensive and just manner in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, the Arabs are still not in agreement and united regarding the idea of normalization with Israel. There are Arab countries that have normal relations with Israel, and some do not have direct relations with Israel but adopt a moderate approach in their statements towards others. This contradicts what was stated in the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, which was approved by the Arabs at the Arab Summit in Beirut to settle the Palestinian issue, and which stipulated the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state in accordance with international law, so that the Arabs can then establish normal relations with Israel. On the other hand, the Arabs and Palestinians continue to offer good intentions and kindness to the Trump administration and their allies in the region, as happened at the last Arab summit held in Cairo recently, where they expressed their thanks and appreciation for America's efforts to establish security, peace and stability in the region. It never occurred to anyone that America would send weapons to Israel to strike Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, call for the displacement of Palestinians and control of the Gaza Strip, and threaten to turn the lives of Palestinians into hell if they do not comply with American-Israeli demands. Therefore, the security, peace and stability they are talking about do not exist. They also stressed the need to achieve peace and resolve the Palestinian issue, stop the war and provide aid, and reject displacement and reconstruction, and they considered it the highest and fixed goal for them. But will America and Israel commit to that? The reality is completely different. In contrast, we will not see any talk about the importance of effective Chinese diplomatic efforts to achieve security, stability and peace in the Arab region and thus support and care for Arab national security from the challenges it faces, noting that China and the Arabs agreed in December 2022, during the first China-Arab summit in Riyadh, to cooperate jointly to build a community of shared destiny in the new era, and to support the global security initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in April 2022, which aims to enhance security and peace for a shared future.

Finally, regarding the effectiveness of China's diplomatic efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue and its insistence on building a multilateral international system and reforming global governance to be more just and equitable, which requires a firm and common Arab-Palestinian position in all international forums in this regard. China is a friendly and partner country, and in June 2023, a strategic partnership agreement was announced in various sectors and fields. There is no doubt that the official and popular Chinese position towards the justice of the Palestinian cause and the achievement of the Palestinian people's goals of self-determination on their Palestinian land, and China's efforts to achieve reconciliation and national unity among all Palestinian parties, is a firm, resolute and continuous position. In his last meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister and member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, Mr. Wang Yi, before the Third Session of the National Congress and the Fourteenth National People's Congress of China on March 7, 2025, he stressed the justice of the Palestinian cause and that the Gaza Strip belongs to the Palestinians and is an integral part of the Palestinian territories, and China adheres to the principle of "the rule of Palestine by the Palestinians." "The world has not enjoyed peace, security and safety without achieving stability in the Middle East region, and this has not been achieved without a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue," he added. He also stressed that China is a strategic partner of Arab countries and a sincere friend of Arab brothers, and China is firmly committed to supporting the peoples of the region and their will to achieve justice, peace and development. Regarding the efforts to achieve Palestinian reconciliation, he reiterated the need to implement the Beijing Agreement by strengthening oneself through solidarity and overcoming differences in the interest of the national cause. Accordingly, the Chinese position and Chinese diplomatic efforts towards settling the Palestinian issue and Arab issues are effective and continuous through firmness of position and performance with the aim of protecting peace and justice. Therefore, China's position as an important international party in the international equation is considered an effective and real role that will contribute to enhancing security and peace, protecting Arab national security and achieving justice for the Palestinian issue.

In conclusion, the Arabs and Palestinians should not exaggerate in their compliance, loyalty and re-betting on the American position to bring peace and stability to Palestine and the region and thus protect their national security, because the Americans and their allies have not brought security, peace and stability to anyone as long as their interests and unilateral policies are above all considerations. On the other hand, the Arabs and Palestinians should nurture and support the positions of their loyal friends and partners, such as China and other countries that support the just Arab causes, "the Palestinian cause", without hesitation or fear.

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The official and popular Chinese position on the justice of the Palestinian cause and the achievement of the Palestinian people's goals of self-determination on their Palestinian land, and China's efforts to achieve reconciliation and national unity among all Palestinian parties, is a firm, resolute and continuous position.