Israel shuts one of its consulates in China amid growing strain in ties
International 07 Aug, 2026

Israel shuts one of its consulates in China amid growing strain in ties

Business To Business Beijing, 07 August, 2026:    According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Israel has closed its consulate in Chengdu, reflecting growing strains in its relationship with China.
The report says the consulate ceased operations last month, amid broader tensions linked to China's increasingly close engagement with Iran and several Arab countries as part of its evolving Middle East policy.
In a farewell letter published on Wednesday, Gadi Harpaz described his five-year posting in Chengdu as:

  • "the most memorable" period of his diplomatic career, and
  • said he was leaving "with a deep sense of sadness and nostalgia."
The closure of the Chengdu consulate is seen as another indication of the changing dynamics in Israel–China relations. However, neither country has publicly stated that the closure represents a downgrade in diplomatic ties, and their broader diplomatic relationship continues through embassies and other diplomatic missions.

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