China–Israel relations

The People's Republic of China (PRC) and the State of Israel formally established diplomatic relations in 1992. While the Republic of China had de jure recognized Israeli sovereignty in 1949, it eventually lost the Chinese Civil War, bringing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to power across mainland China. In 1950, Israel became the first country in the Middle East to recognize the PRC as the sole government of China, but the CCP did not reciprocate by establishing diplomatic ties due to Israel's alignment with the Western Bloc during the Cold War. This discontent persisted until the Cold War came to a close with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Since 1992, China and Israel have developed increasingly close economic, military and technological links with each other. China is Israel's third largest trading partner globally and largest trading partner in East Asia. Bilateral trade volume increased from $50 million in 1992 to over $10 billion in 2013. Some commentators note similarities between the cultures and values of the two nations, and their convergence of interests has made them natural partners. China is one of the few countries in the world to concurrently maintain warm relations with Israel, the State of Palestine, and the Muslim world at large.

China's status as a potential world power has prompted Israel to maintain close ties with the country and integrate China's global influence with Israel's economic management. Israel maintains an embassy in Beijing and consulates-general in Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, while China maintains an embassy in Tel Aviv.