Israel–China Relations: From Secret Military Cooperation to a Complicated Strategic Partnership

Israel–China Relations: From Secret Military Cooperation to a Complicated Strategic Partnership

Israel and China have a relationship that is far more complex than the simple label of “friends” or “rivals” suggests.

The two countries established formal diplomatic relations on 24 January 1992. Since then, their relationship has expanded into trade, agriculture, technology, education, infrastructure and innovation. In March 2017, Beijing and Jerusalem described the relationship as an “innovative comprehensive partnership.” 

But underneath this economic relationship lies a major strategic contradiction.

China maintains close relations with Israel while simultaneously maintaining extensive political relations with the Arab world and supporting Palestinian statehood. Since the Gaza war, that balancing act has become considerably more difficult.

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1. The Relationship Before 1992

The story actually began before formal diplomatic relations.

During the Cold War, China generally aligned with Arab and Palestinian positions and did not establish diplomatic relations with Israel.

Yet from the late 1970s and especially during the 1980s, unofficial military contacts developed.

China was seeking advanced military technology to modernise its armed forces.

Israel, meanwhile, possessed sophisticated military technology and was interested in expanding its strategic and commercial relationships.

This created a pragmatic convergence:

China needed technology.

Israel needed markets and strategic access.

Military cooperation therefore developed before formal diplomatic recognition. 

Advanced vocabulary

Pragmatic — practical rather than ideological

Convergence — coming together of interests

Military modernisation — upgrading armed forces

Strategic access — access that provides geopolitical advantage

Unofficial channel — communication outside formal diplomatic mechanisms

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2. Why China Wanted Israeli Technology

During the Cold War, China faced limitations in obtaining advanced Western military systems.

Israel possessed expertise in areas such as:

aircraft upgrades

radar

electronic warfare

missiles

unmanned systems

communications

surveillance

Israel therefore became a potentially valuable technological partner.

For Beijing, Israeli expertise offered a shortcut to certain capabilities that would otherwise require years of domestic development.

For Israel, China represented a major potential market.

This created what analysts call technology-for-market complementarity.

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3. 1992: Diplomatic Relations

The decisive turning point came on 24 January 1992.

China and Israel formally established diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level.

The agreement was based on principles including:

mutual respect for sovereignty

territorial integrity

non-interference

equality

mutual benefit

peaceful coexistence

Israel had actually recognised the People's Republic of China earlier, but formal diplomatic relations came only in 1992. 

Why 1992?

The geopolitical environment had changed dramatically.

The Cold War was ending.

The Soviet Union was collapsing.

China was becoming increasingly integrated into the global economy.

Israel was also attempting to broaden its diplomatic relationships.

The strategic circumstances were therefore much more favourable to normalisation.

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4. The First Decade: Defence and Security

During the 1990s, defence cooperation became one of the most important components of the relationship.

Israel provided China with various military technologies and upgrades.

The relationship was particularly significant because China was undergoing rapid military modernisation.

Israel possessed advanced expertise in areas that were valuable to the Chinese military.

However, this cooperation eventually generated serious problems with the United States.

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5. The Phalcon Crisis

One of the most important episodes in Israel–China relations was the proposed sale of the Israeli Phalcon airborne early-warning system to China.

The Phalcon was designed to provide sophisticated airborne radar and surveillance capabilities.

The United States strongly opposed the proposed transfer.

Washington was concerned about the strategic implications of advanced Israeli military technology reaching China.

Under intense American pressure, Israel cancelled the deal in 2000.

The episode demonstrated an important reality:

Israel's relationship with China was constrained by Israel's far more important strategic relationship with the United States.

This became a recurring theme.

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6. The Harpy Crisis

Another major controversy involved Israel's Harpy unmanned aerial system.

Israel had sold Harpy systems to China.

Later, China sought upgrades.

The United States strongly objected.

The controversy became a major diplomatic problem between Washington and Jerusalem.

The United States subsequently pressured Israel to strengthen oversight of defence exports to China. 

The lesson was clear:

Israel could conduct business with China, but not without considering American strategic concerns.

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7. The United States Factor

This is perhaps the single most important factor in understanding modern Israel–China relations.

Israel is heavily dependent on the United States for:

military cooperation

intelligence

advanced weapons

diplomatic support

strategic coordination

China, meanwhile, is America's principal strategic competitor.

Therefore Israel has to maintain a delicate balance.

Israel's calculation

China = huge economic and technological opportunity

but

United States = indispensable strategic ally

That creates a structural limitation on Israel–China security cooperation.

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8. From Weapons to Innovation

After the defence controversies, the character of the relationship gradually changed.

Military cooperation became much more restricted.

Economic and technological cooperation became increasingly important.

Agriculture was an early success.

Israel's expertise in:

drip irrigation

water management

greenhouse agriculture

desert farming

agricultural technology

was attractive to China.

China, with its enormous population and diverse agricultural requirements, had a huge potential market.

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9. Agricultural Cooperation

Agriculture became one of the early pillars of civilian cooperation.

Israeli technology was used in demonstration projects involving:

irrigation

greenhouse cultivation

water efficiency

crop production

dairy farming

This represented a classic example of complementary capabilities.

China had:

scale + land + huge demand

Israel had:

technology + water efficiency + agricultural innovation

Together they created opportunities for cooperation.

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10. 2017: Innovative Comprehensive Partnership

In March 2017, China and Israel announced the establishment of an innovative comprehensive partnership.

This was a significant upgrade in the political and economic relationship.

The partnership emphasised:

innovation

technology

science

trade

investment

education

agriculture

infrastructure

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also maintained high-level engagement.

China's official description of the relationship continues to highlight innovation cooperation. 

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11. Trade

Trade has become one of the most important pillars.

According to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bilateral trade reached approximately $22.7 billion in 2024.

Chinese exports to Israel accounted for about $14.3 billion, while Israeli exports to China were approximately $8.4 billion. 

The relationship therefore has significant economic depth.

China supplies Israel with a broad range of manufactured goods.

Israel supplies China with products and technologies in areas including:

advanced equipment

technology

chemicals

agriculture

medical products

specialised machinery

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12. China as a Major Israeli Trading Partner

China became particularly important to Israel's economic diversification.

Israel's traditional economic relationships are heavily concentrated around:

United States + Europe

China provided another major market.

This mattered because economic diversification can reduce excessive dependence on a single geographical region.

But it also created a strategic dilemma.

The more economically integrated Israel became with China, the more closely Washington examined sensitive Chinese investments.

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13. Chinese Infrastructure Investment

Chinese companies became involved in several Israeli infrastructure projects.

Chinese firms participated in areas including:

ports

construction

transportation

infrastructure

engineering

One particularly notable project was the Haifa Bayport.

The involvement of Chinese companies generated debate in Israel and the United States over whether critical infrastructure should be operated or constructed by Chinese firms.

The concern was not necessarily commercial.

It was primarily about:

national security + strategic infrastructure + data + foreign influence.

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14. Why Haifa Became Sensitive

Haifa is not simply another commercial port.

It is strategically located on Israel's Mediterranean coast.

The broader Haifa area has military significance.

The possibility of Chinese commercial involvement near sensitive Israeli infrastructure therefore attracted attention in Washington.

This illustrates the modern problem of dual-use infrastructure.

A port can be:

commercial

and simultaneously have:

strategic implications.

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15. Technology: The Heart of the Relationship

Israel is often described as a global innovation hub.

China is a technological and manufacturing superpower.

This creates enormous potential for cooperation.

Areas include:

artificial intelligence

robotics

cybersecurity

medical technology

agricultural technology

water technology

biotechnology

semiconductor-related innovation

clean technology

China has also attempted to deepen connections between Chinese research institutions and Israeli innovation ecosystems.

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16. The China–Israel Innovation Architecture

The two countries established institutional mechanisms to promote innovation cooperation.

One important mechanism is the China-Israel Joint Committee on Innovation Cooperation.

According to China's Foreign Ministry, the committee was established in 2014 and has held multiple meetings.

The two countries have also developed innovation parks and joint platforms, including projects in Changzhou and Shanghai. 

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17. Education

Education is another component of the relationship.

China and Israel have cooperated through universities and academic institutions.

A particularly notable project is the Guangdong Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, created through cooperation between Shantou University and Israel's Technion.

The institution was inaugurated in 2017. 

This is significant because it connects:

Chinese educational infrastructure

with

Israeli scientific expertise.

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18. Tourism and People-to-People Relations

Before the major deterioration in Middle Eastern security, tourism and people-to-people exchanges also contributed to the relationship.

China designated Israel as an approved destination for Chinese tourists in 2005.

Cultural agreements have existed since the 1990s.

The two sides have also promoted exchanges involving:

culture

cinema

literature

education

museums

tourism

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19. China's One-China Policy

Israel officially recognises the People's Republic of China and adheres to the One-China policy.

This means Israel recognises Beijing as the government representing China and does not maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan as a separate sovereign state.

This is an important part of the political foundation of China–Israel relations.

China regards the Taiwan issue as a core national interest.

Israel's adherence to the One-China policy therefore removes a major potential source of diplomatic friction. 

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20. China's Relationship with the Palestinians

This is where the relationship becomes complicated.

China does not view Israel's relationship with Beijing as the only dimension of Middle Eastern diplomacy.

China has also developed longstanding relations with the Palestinians and Arab states.

Beijing supports Palestinian statehood and a two-state solution.

China therefore attempts to maintain diplomatic relations with:

Israel + Palestine + Arab states + Iran

simultaneously.

This gives Beijing considerable diplomatic flexibility, but it also creates tension with Israel.

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21. China's Position on Palestine

China's official position is broadly based on:

support for Palestinian statehood

a two-state solution

a Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders

East Jerusalem as its capital

humanitarian assistance

negotiated political settlement

In June 2026, China's Permanent Representative to the UN stated that the Palestinian question was at the heart of the Middle East issue and argued that the international community should work toward ending the suffering of Palestinians and preserving the two-state solution. 

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22. The Gaza War Changed the Relationship

The Gaza war fundamentally complicated China–Israel relations.

Before the war, both countries could emphasise:

trade + technology + innovation + investment.

After October 2023, political and diplomatic differences became much more visible.

China increasingly criticised Israeli military actions in Gaza and emphasised Palestinian rights.

Israel, meanwhile, became increasingly critical of China's diplomatic positioning.

The economic relationship did not simply disappear.

But the political relationship became substantially more difficult.

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23. China as a Diplomatic Player

China has increasingly attempted to portray itself as a diplomatic actor in the Middle East.

This is part of a broader Chinese strategy.

Beijing wants to demonstrate that it can contribute to resolving major international crises.

China has promoted:

mediation

ceasefire diplomacy

Palestinian reconciliation

regional dialogue

economic development

Its diplomacy between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023 was especially important for China's broader Middle East profile.

Israel therefore sees China not merely as an economic partner but also as an increasingly influential geopolitical actor.

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24. China's Special Envoy in Israel — 2026

The relationship has not completely broken down.

In January 2026, Chinese Special Envoy for the Middle East Zhai Jun visited Israel.

He met Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and other senior officials.

Chinese officials said both sides discussed bilateral relations and regional hotspots.

Israel reiterated its adherence to the One-China policy and expressed willingness to strengthen exchanges and practical cooperation. 

This is significant.

Even amid serious disagreements over Gaza, the diplomatic channel remained open.

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25. Another Contact in March 2026

In March 2026, China's Middle East envoy again met Israel's ambassador to China.

The two sides discussed the tense regional situation.

This demonstrates an important feature of the relationship:

Political disagreement has not eliminated diplomatic communication.

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26. Why China Does Not Simply Choose Israel

From Israel's perspective, China sometimes appears too sympathetic to Palestinian positions.

But Beijing's strategy is broader.

China does not want to choose exclusively between:

Israel

and

Arab/Muslim states.

China wants relationships with all of them.

The reason is simple:

The Middle East is strategically important for China's:

energy security

trade routes

Belt and Road connectivity

diplomatic influence

investment

global positioning

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27. Why Israel Still Needs China Economically

Despite political differences, Israel has strong reasons to preserve economic relations.

China offers:

A huge market

More than a billion consumers.

Manufacturing capacity

Massive industrial supply chains.

Investment

Capital for infrastructure and technology.

Technological collaboration

Opportunities in civilian innovation.

Asian connectivity

Access to a major economic centre.

Therefore, completely severing economic relations would carry significant costs.

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28. Why China Needs Israel

China also has reasons to maintain the relationship.

Israel offers:

advanced technological expertise

agricultural innovation

water-management technology

medical innovation

cybersecurity expertise

access to Middle Eastern networks

an important Mediterranean economic partner

Israel's geographic location is also significant.

It connects the Mediterranean to the wider Middle Eastern strategic environment.

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29. The United States Is the Invisible Third Player

A useful way to understand the relationship is:

Israel ↔ China

but also:

Israel ↔ United States ↔ China

Israel cannot treat Chinese cooperation independently of Washington.

The United States has repeatedly expressed concern about Chinese involvement in sensitive Israeli infrastructure and technology.

The earlier Phalcon and Harpy controversies demonstrated the limits of Israeli defence cooperation with China.

Therefore:

Israel–China relations operate within the constraints of the US–China strategic rivalry.

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30. Defence Cooperation Today

Military cooperation is dramatically more limited than it was during the earlier decades.

Israel's security relationship with the United States has become too important to allow unrestricted defence technology transfers to China.

This does not mean there is no military-related contact whatsoever.

But the relationship is fundamentally different from the 1980s and 1990s.

Today the strongest areas are generally:

civilian technology + trade + innovation + agriculture + infrastructure + diplomacy.

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31. The Intelligence Question

China and Israel are both technologically sophisticated states.

Both place considerable importance on intelligence and cybersecurity.

There have been concerns in various countries about technology transfer, cyber espionage and intellectual-property protection.

But claims that Israel and China operate a comprehensive intelligence alliance should not be presented as established fact without strong evidence.

The more defensible conclusion is that both countries have strong incentives to monitor each other's strategic activities while maintaining diplomatic and economic channels.

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32. The Taiwan Factor

Israel's relationship with Taiwan is constrained by its relationship with Beijing.

Israel recognises the People's Republic of China.

Consequently, Israel does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

This demonstrates that China can exercise considerable diplomatic influence through the economic importance of the Chinese market.

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33. The Iran Factor

Iran is another major factor.

China maintains important relations with Iran.

Israel regards Iran as a major security threat.

This produces a fundamental strategic divergence.

Israel's perspective:

Iran is a central security challenge.

China's perspective:

Iran is an important regional partner and economic actor.

Therefore, China–Israel relations cannot be separated from China's relationship with Tehran.

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34. China's Balancing Strategy

China's Middle East strategy can be described as multi-vector diplomacy.

Beijing simultaneously maintains relations with:

Israel

Iran

Saudi Arabia

UAE

Egypt

Türkiye

Palestine

other Arab states

This approach maximises China's diplomatic leverage.

It also means China avoids becoming completely dependent on one regional actor.

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35. Israel's Strategic Dilemma

Israel faces its own balancing problem.

It wants:

Chinese investment + Chinese markets + Chinese technology cooperation

but must also protect:

US alliance + national security + sensitive technology + strategic infrastructure.