China's Wang Yi rebukes Israel over West Bank settlements and calls Palestine issue 'greatest historical injustice of this century'

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Israeli President Isaac Herzog face-to-face in Baku, Azerbaijan that Israel must halt and reverse the "forced establishment" of settlements in the occupied West Bank. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the CICA summit, was requested by Israel, according to China's foreign ministry. Wang declared the Palestinian question the "greatest historical injustice of this century" and called fully reopening Gaza access the immediate priority. Herzog's office declined to comment on the West Bank discussion, with his public statement focusing on bilateral trade ties and Iran's threat.

Wang attended the Baku summit as a special representative of President Xi Jinping, and several delegations walked out when Herzog addressed the conference.

Beijing called the two-state solution the "correct direction" and said it is willing to work with the international community to push all parties back to dialogue.

Herzog reaffirmed Israel's one-China policy and proposed using the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2027 to expand cooperation in technology, investment and travel.