Where do China-Israel ties stand after closure of consulate in Chengdu?

Israel's consulate general in Chengdu has officially closed, marking a symbolic shift in relations between Israel and China. The consul general, Gadi Harpaz, has left his post after five years, describing the period as "the most memorable of his diplomatic career" in a letter published Wednesday. He expressed sadness and nostalgia upon departing.

Harpaz stated that despite the consulate's closure, the "bridges of friendship, mutual respect and shared memories" built over the past five years would endure. The consulate ceased operations in July, following an initial announcement in June. This development occurs amidst the ongoing Middle East conflict, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi having previously stated that Israel's actions in Gaza "had gone beyond self-defence."

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Although the consulate general is closing, the bridges of friendship, mutual respect and shared memories we built over the last five years will endure.

While the closure might suggest fraying ties, one analyst downplayed its immediate impact, noting that bilateral relations between China and Israel had already been under strain in recent years. Israel maintains other diplomatic presences in China, including its embassy in Beijing and consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong.

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Israel’s actions in Gaza had “gone beyond self-defence”.