Today, Israel carried out an airstrike against the China-Iran railway, marking the first direct attack on a key strategic asset of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The net effect is: Israel’s economy continues to function with China’s material support, they would be in a worse position if they were deprived of Chinese trade. Even if we disregard Hong Kong, 8% would be a serious shock - especially under current conditions! Then China could began pressuring its own trading partners to also stop trading with Israel; Hong Kong might even follow. This would have a serious cost to China, though, and they have likely determined the cost is too high and the risks too great.
What they’re doing now, supporting the Axis of Resistance while avoiding Western retaliation, is likely the best strategic option.
But that doesn’t mean we should just disregard trade as having material impact. We’re materialists, not moralists. We can accept that China is materially supporting Israel through trade while also understanding that this isn’t some kind of moral failing, and that there are additional considerations that are being made to inform their overall strategy towards Israel.
The net effect is: Israel’s economy continues to function with China’s material support, they would be in a worse position if they were deprived of Chinese trade. Even if we disregard Hong Kong, 8% would be a serious shock - especially under current conditions! Then China could began pressuring its own trading partners to also stop trading with Israel; Hong Kong might even follow. This would have a serious cost to China, though, and they have likely determined the cost is too high and the risks too great.
What they’re doing now, supporting the Axis of Resistance while avoiding Western retaliation, is likely the best strategic option.
But that doesn’t mean we should just disregard trade as having material impact. We’re materialists, not moralists. We can accept that China is materially supporting Israel through trade while also understanding that this isn’t some kind of moral failing, and that there are additional considerations that are being made to inform their overall strategy towards Israel.