Why China’s new ambassador to Israel marks shift in Middle East focus
China’s appointment of Xiao Junzheng as ambassador signals a strategic shift aimed to improve ties with Israel. Xiao’s Middle East expertise highlights Beijing’s evolving approach amid regional and bilateral tensions.
On Nov. 29, the new Chinese ambassador, Xiao Junzheng, arrived in Israel, filling the vacancy left by former ambassador Cai Run in July 2024. Xiao was most recently the ambassador to Greece, a position he held from 2021 until September 2024. His arrival comes at a time when the China-Israel relationship is under considerable stress. The key question is: What does his appointment signify?
To begin with, Xiao’s appointment represents a shift in China’s perception of Israel. Xiao's professional background, when compared with his predecessors', underscores this shift. Xiao can be described as a “Middle East hand.” He has extensive experience in the region, having served as a counselor and deputy director general of the Department of West Asia and North Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Between 2019 and 2021, he was minister counselor and later minister at the Chinese Embassy in Egypt. From 2021 to 2024, he served as the Chinese ambassador to Greece, focusing on the eastern Mediterranean.
Sharp contrast with predecessors
Ambassador Cai Run, for instance, served as minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, and later as ambassador to Portugal. In Beijing, he led the policy planning portfolio at the Foreign Ministry for seven years. After his tenure in Israel, he became the Chinese ambassador to the EU. Cai’s experience leans heavily toward Europe, the United States and strategic policy planning.
