China has strongly condemned Israel’s decision to begin full-scale construction of the controversial E1 settlement project, a $1 billion expansion plan linking the Ma’ale Adumim settlement to Jerusalem—a move Beijing says could destroy hopes for a Palestinian state and violate international law.
Approved by Israel’s Defense Ministry’s Civil Administration, the project includes over 3,000 housing units, new roads, and infrastructure connecting West Bank settlements to Jerusalem. Critics warn that the expansion would physically separate the West Bank from East Jerusalem, effectively blocking the creation of a contiguous Palestinian territory.
During the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his government’s hardline stance, declaring, “There will be no Palestinian state; this land belongs to us.” His statement drew global criticism, with China, the European Union, and the United Nations calling the move a blatant provocation that undermines ongoing peace efforts.
At a press briefing on Friday, October 11, 2025, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged Israel to “refrain from taking inflammatory and escalatory actions,” stressing that the E1 project violates UN Security Council Resolutions 2334 and 242, which classify Israeli settlements in occupied territories as illegal under international law.
“China opposes any form of settlement construction on occupied Palestinian land,” Jiakun stated, warning that the move could reignite violence in Gaza, where nearly 2 million people remain displaced despite a fragile ceasefire brokered in September. He emphasized China’s call for an “immediate and comprehensive ceasefire” and renewed commitment to the two-state solution as the only sustainable path to peace.
Analysts say Beijing’s statement reflects its growing diplomatic influence in the Middle East, particularly after its successful mediation of the Saudi-Iran rapprochement in 2023. China has consistently positioned itself as a neutral advocate for peace, contrasting Washington’s firm alliance with Israel.
Meanwhile, Jiakun also addressed tensions in the Taiwan Strait, warning the Lai Ching-te administration against expanding its air defense systems in partnership with the United States. “Attempts to resist reunification through military buildup will only provoke conflict,” he said, reaffirming Beijing’s opposition to “Taiwan independence and U.S. arms sales to the Taiwan region.”
