In recent weeks, Chinese web portals, such as Baidu Maps, Baidu Street View, and Shengkuang Map, have removed the State of Israel from their online maps. The removal is seen as part of Chinese efforts to support the Palestinian cause amid the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.
According to reports, the only part of Israel still visible on Chinese maps is the Gaza Strip, which is marked as “Gaza Palestine”. The rest of Israel, including East Jerusalem, has been removed from the maps.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, has publicly urged both sides to end the violence and find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
The removal of Israel from online maps in China is seen by many as part of a wider pattern of censoring information that Beijing perceives as being in support of the Palestinian cause. Additionally, China has supported the Palestinian cause through financial assistance and by providing medical and humanitarian aid.
