Publication

This policy brief discusses the potential implications of the official state visit by the Chinese Chief of Staff to Israel in 2011. Although not expected to generate a profound change in the bilateral military ties, the visit has aroused a great deal of attention. It is being portrayed as part of a growing military relationship between the countries. Israel had been providing China with military technologies but was forced to dissolve the agreement unilaterally under American pressure. These circumstances brought Israeli-Chinese relations to a nadir, and despite some progress the limitations on security exports to China make it difficult to renew military relations.