Unusual China-Fatah-Hamas triad is solidifying, and Beijing stands to gain a lot

China is swiftly making greater inroads into Palestine’s diplomatic scene. Most recent in this saga are Beijing’s efforts to facilitate reconciliation between rival factions Fatah and Hamas.

On Tuesday (July 17), China expressed its willingness to mediate between Palestinian factions. Officials from Fatah, the faction that runs the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA), have announced a meeting with Hamas counterparts in Beijing on July 20-21

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stressed Beijing’s commitment to fostering dialogue and reconciliation, aiming to create opportunities for unity among Palestinian factions.

Consistent efforts by Beijing.

Since the escalation of the Israel-Hamas war that started due to the attack on October 7, China has consistently tried to get a foothold in Palestinian politics.

Right from the beginning of the conflict, China refused to condemn Hamas for the attack on Israel, while deeming Tel Aviv’s retaliation “collective punishment”. It maintained a stance quite opposite that of the West. It kept making subtle overtures towards Palestine.

Then, in March 2024, some six months into the conflict, Beijing’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs envoy, Wang Kejian, said that Hamas is “part of the Palestinian national fabric” and China is keen on relations with it, according to Middle East Monitor.

Then, on April 27, Reuters quoted a Fatah official as saying that a delegation led by the group’s senior official Azzam Al-Ahmed had left for China. A Hamas official said the faction’s team for the talks, led by senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk, would be flying there later.

On April 30, China’s foreign ministry said that rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah have expressed the will to seek reconciliation through dialogue at unity talks in Beijing.

A month later, Xi Jinping called for an international peace conference to resolve the Israel-Hamas war and pledged 500 million yuan ($69 million) in humanitarian aid for Gaza. He also promised to donate $3 million to a United Nations agency that provides assistance and relief to refugees of the Israel-Hamas war.

China’s aim appears to be to gain clout in the region by presenting itself as a peace-seeking and neutral great power that can help solve the Fatah-Hamas issue.

The Fatah-Hamas divide

The rivalry between Fatah and Hamas has been a dominant feature of Palestinian politics since Hamas’s victory in the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council elections. The subsequent armed conflicts and failed unity government attempts have resulted in a divided leadership, with Fatah controlling the West Bank and Hamas governing the Gaza Strip. This division has prevented elections since 2006-07, exacerbating governance issues and repression in both territories.

The absence of a unified Palestinian voice has undermined efforts for meaningful negotiations with Israel, which often points to the lack of a single, representative Palestinian entity as a barrier to peace talks. The reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas is thus crucial for the viability of any political process or negotiation aimed at achieving a two-state solution.

Beijing aims to enhance its diplomatic clout and contrast its role with that of the United States, which China has often accused of being a destabilising force due to its staunch support for Israel.

Beijing’s potential gains

If China succeeds in bridging the divide between Fatah and Hamas, it stands to gain significant influence in the Middle East. Such a diplomatic victory would enhance China’s reputation as a global peace broker and increase its leverage in the region. Moreover, by supporting Palestinian reconciliation, Beijing can further its strategic interests by positioning itself as an alternative to Western influence, particularly that of the US, according to an analysis by Chatham House.

This move also aligns with China’s broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which seeks to expand Beijing’s economic and strategic footprint globally. A stable and unified Palestinian leadership could open new avenues for economic and infrastructure projects under the BRI, further entrenching China’s influence in the Middle East.

With inputs from agencies