Vantage | Why Israel has gone missing from China's maps

In the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict, China has taken an unexpected and somewhat controversial step raising questions about its role in a distant and traditionally unrelated conflict.

China’s unusual involvement China dispatched a special envoy to West Asia soon after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict demonstrating its interest in playing a more active role in shaping the outcomes. Of late, Chinese tech giants Baidu and Alibaba have removed Israel from their maps sparking concerns about whether this was a software bug or a deliberate political statement. The examination of the altered maps reveals the absence of Israel, while its neighbours including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt are still identified raising suspicions about the intent behind this move. Mysterious silence Despite the public uproar, both Baidu and Alibaba have remained silent, leaving questions about their motives and the possibility of a political statement rather than a technical glitch. China’s interest in maps is significant because they are often weaponised by the Communist Party to assert territorial claims and convey policy positions. Internet companies in China tend to align with the party’s stance, which makes the erasure of Israel from maps all the more concerning. China’s foreign ministry responded vaguely leaving questions about why Israel may not be considered a “relevant country” on their maps. Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, “The position of the Chinese government on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is very clear. We are calling for a ceasefire as soon as possible, the protection of civilians, the establishment of an independent Palestinian State." China’s neutral stance on the conflict China has officially declared itself a neutral party in the Israel-Hamas conflict advocating for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians while supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Despite China’s official stance of neutrality, there is evidence of a surge in anti-Semitism within the country driven by influential voices on Chinese social media. This hate speech is facilitated by the tight control over Chinese internet platforms. Influential voices, like Hu Xijin, have made provocative statements adding fuel to the anti-Israel sentiments within China. China’s view of Israel is often coloured by its perceived alliance with America, which may explain why it is not seen as a friend of China. Despite the power to censor hate speech and alter the narrative, China has chosen not to do so leaving Israel to bear the brunt of negative public opinion. Future of China-Israel relationship Recent events including the altered maps and the surge in anti-Semitism raise questions about the future of the relationship between China and Israel especially as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues. In 2017, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited China where he described their relationship as a “marriage made in heaven.” However, that comment has not aged well in light of recent developments. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.