this post was submitted on 03 Feb 2026
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I'm fairly sure they're doing this for political/strategic reasons. I'm also annoyed that it's the most principled stance we've seen from a major country yet, even if the motives are a bit murky. But I was glad to read that.
Well yeah, every state action done by every country is for political/strategic reasons. I think their motives are clear: 1) Help Palestine achieve liberation through passive aid; and 2) increase China’s clout on the world stage.
You placed their motives in the opposite order
China buys a shit ton of oil from Iran, which is coming under military attack from Israel seemingly regularly --Israel also had a hand in heightening civil unrest during recent riots (though iran's regime is also brutal in its response -- Israel openly admitted its agents were operating in the area during the unrest). China's likely getting impacted by all the recent 'shadow fleet' oil tanker seizures. Israel is basically tied to the United States, a country that's clearly antagonistic towards China. China also doesn't really care that much about human rights / the welfare of individuals/people, as evidenced by things like the Uyghur situation.
So the thought that they're doing it to 'help palestine achieve liberation through passive aid' is, I think, a nonsense reason that gets trotted out for potential PR reasons, maybe. Increasing their clout, I'd say is a very minor motivator: I don't know anyone who'd deny China is a major power.
It's a 'generally good' move they're making for the people in that region, and for human dignity in general. But the reasons for taking this step, is not for the benefit of people in that region.