China strongly criticizes Israel’s plan to seize Gaza City, confirms Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the largest-ever SCO Tianjin Summit, firmly rejects Donald Trump’s threat of secondary tariffs over Russian oil purchases, highlights urgent need for a Gaza ceasefire and humanitarian relief, supports Indonesia’s aid initiative for wounded Gaza residents, and addresses reports of COSCO’s bid for a major stake in CK Hutchison’s global port operations while vowing to safeguard national interests and market fairness.
China Comments on Gaza, Modi’s Upcoming China Visit, and Trump’s Tariff Threats
On August 8, 2025, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed multiple international issues during a press briefing, expressing Beijing’s positions on the Gaza conflict, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to China, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks on potential secondary tariffs against China.
Responding to a question about Israel’s security cabinet approving a plan proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the military to “take control” of Gaza City, Guo said China is gravely concerned about Israel’s decision and urged the country to stop the dangerous move immediately. He reiterated that Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an integral part of Palestinian territory.
According to Guo, the only way to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and secure the release of those being held is to implement an immediate ceasefire. He stressed that a ceasefire is also the key to fully resolving the conflict and ensuring regional security. China stands ready to work with the international community to halt the fighting, ease the humanitarian disaster, implement the two-state solution, and ultimately achieve a full, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question.
When asked about Indian media reports suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China on August 31 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, Guo confirmed that the summit will be held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, 2025. Leaders from over 20 countries, including all SCO member states and heads of 10 international organizations, will participate.
Guo emphasized that the Tianjin Summit will be the largest SCO gathering since its establishment. Welcoming Modi’s participation, he expressed confidence that with the efforts of all parties, the summit would strengthen solidarity, friendship, and produce fruitful results, marking a new stage of high-quality development for the SCO characterized by greater unity, coordination, dynamism, and productivity.
On the issue of potential U.S. secondary tariffs, Bloomberg quoted Trump as saying such measures could be imposed on China over its purchase of Russian oil. Without providing details, Trump left open the possibility of further economic measures. In response, Guo reiterated that China’s stance is consistent and clear: it is legitimate and lawful for China to engage in economic, trade, and energy cooperation with other countries, including Russia. He stated that China will continue to take energy supply measures in line with its national interests.
Addressing a question from Antara about the Indonesian president’s instruction to evacuate and treat around 2,000 wounded Gaza residents on one of Indonesia’s islands, Guo said China was not aware of the specifics. However, he described the fighting in Gaza as having caused a grave humanitarian disaster.
He stressed that the immediate priority is a lasting ceasefire and ensuring humanitarian aid access. China is ready to work with the international community to send a stronger message, play a greater role in the Palestinian issue, and promote a comprehensive, just, and lasting resolution at an early date.
When asked by the Financial Times about reports that China COSCO Shipping Corporation is seeking to acquire a 20 to 30 percent stake in CK Hutchison’s global port operations, Guo said the Chinese government will conduct lawful regulation over such overseas asset transactions. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests while upholding justice and fairness in the market.
This briefing reflects China’s active diplomatic engagement on major geopolitical issues, signaling Beijing’s readiness to position itself as a mediator in global conflicts while defending its economic and strategic interests.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on official statements from the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson and media reports available as of August 8, 2025. While efforts have been made to present accurate and complete details, readers are advised to verify information from multiple sources before drawing conclusions. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute political advice, endorsement, or any official position by the publisher.