China's Strategy of 'Balanced Diplomacy' Challenged by Israel-Hamas Conflict

China's strategy of 'balanced diplomacy' in the Middle East is being challenged by the Israel-Hamas conflict, as growing pro-Palestinian sentiment and historic sympathies may force China to choose sides. China's special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, attributes the conflict to the lack of guarantees for Palestinian rights. China's assumption of the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for November and its focus on promoting a cease-fire in the Israel-Palestine conflict are seen as attempts to maintain its diplomatic stance.