China VP Han Zheng at UNGA signals Middle East stance; Xi skips address after Trump summit

China's Vice-President Han Zheng used the UN General Assembly to implicitly criticize the US and Israel, calling for respect for Middle Eastern sovereignty and a two-state solution. Xi Jinping's absence from the UNGA, following his Washington summit with Trump, raises questions about China's diplomatic priorities and messaging. The move signals a subtle but notable shift in China's public posture on the Middle East, potentially recalibrating its role as a mediator.