This paper examines how Chinese Internet users interpret the Israeli–Palestinian conflict through discussions on Zhihu, one of China’s largest knowledge-sharing platforms. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of the 175 highly liked answers, the study identifies the two most visible narratives: a moral narrative emphasizing Palestinian victimhood and historical injustice, and a realpolitik narrative that interprets the conflict through strategic interests and global power competition. The paper highlights how online discussions of a distant conflict construct different understandings of international politics. Moreover, the conflict serves as a reference point for reflecting on China’s national identity, historical experience, and global position.
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Сергеевич et al. (2026) studied this question.
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