My research focuses on Israeli Studies and China–Israel relations. I hold an MRes in Middle East Studies from the University of Exeter (UK) and an MA in Diplomacy from Shanghai International Studies University (China), and have served as a conference secretary for the International Forum on Asia and the Middle East while presenting my past work at the Fudan Forum on Middle East Studies. My academic work centers on foreign policy analysis and regional studies, and I am proficient in Chinese and English with a beginner-level knowledge of Hebrew. My PhD research is titled “Peace Now? Understanding China’s Role in the Palestine–Israel Issue (1948–2025).” In contrast to Western scholarly approaches that often examine China’s foreign policy through Western philosophical and international relations frameworks, I aim to analyze the internal logic and external interactions behind China’s decision-making from the perspective of Chinese philosophy and international relations theory.

More information about Yun Song

Fields of interest

China-Israel Relations; China-Israel-Palestine Relations; Foreign Policy Analysis; Israel-Palestine Issue; International Relations Theory of Chinese School

Research

China's involvement in the Palestine and Israel issue has a long-standing history, demonstrating continuous and evolving engagement across different historical stages. Although existing studies have examined its phased policy evolution or motivations and approaches, the academic field still lacks a theoretical monograph that systematically examines the shifts in China’s stance—one that is genuinely grounded in China’s own logic and intellectual traditions. Nor has there been sufficient integration of the specific expectations held by both Palestinian and Israeli sides regarding China’s role, or an in-depth exploration of the formation process of China’s diplomatic decision-making mechanisms and policy frameworks on this issue.
By analyzing the evolution of China’s foreign policy toward the Palestine and Israel issue from 1948 to 2025, this study examines the strategic logic and theoretical implications reflected in its pattern of “continuity and change”. It aims to uncover the unique path and philosophical foundations underlying China’s approach to global governance. Furthermore, the paper explores the potential and practical challenges of integrating Chinese perspectives with Western international relations theory in interpreting and addressing this issue. Drawing insights from historical experience, it seeks to propose new directions—moving beyond traditional power politics and the clash of civilizations paradigm—to break the current impasse in the Palestine and Israel issue, offering theoretical reference and practical inspiration from a Chinese perspective.

Grants and awards

1. 2023 University of Exeter Key Global Partnerships Scholarship
2. 2022 Award for Publication in Major Overseas Journals at Shanghai International Studies University

Curriculum vitae

1. 09.2021 – 06.2024   Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) Diplomacy (Postgraduate)
2. 09.2023 – 09.2024   University of Exeter (UoE)  MRes the Middle East Studies (Postgraduate)
3. 09.2017 – 06.2021    Qingdao University (QDU) International Politics (Undergraduate)

Selected publications

1. Y. SONG and Meng SHU, Decoding Israeli New Media’s Public Diplomacy Maneuvers within the Chinese Social Media Landscape, ASIAN JOURNAL OF MIDDLE EASTERN AND ISLAMIC STUDIES (ESCI), 2025, available at: https:⁠/⁠/doi.org/10.1080/25765949.2025.2476321.
2. Meng SHU, Y. SONG and Hanwen ZHANG, The Palestine-Israel Issue in the Post-Covid-19 Era—From the Perspective of Neocolonialism, ASIAN JOURNAL OF MIDDLE EASTERN AND ISLAMIC STUDIES (ESCI), 2021, available at: https:⁠/⁠/doi.org/10.1080/25765949.2021.2019461.
3. Song NIU, Y. SONG, A Case Study of the Relationship between Israel and Local Provinces in China from the Perspective of Multi-layer Foreign Affairs Theory: Mechanism, Practice and Performance, Israeli Studies, 3ed, pp. 30-48, 2023.
4. Song NIU, Y. SONG, China’s Practice of Multi-Party Cooperation against the Covid-19 and the CPC’s Party Diplomacy against the Covid-19 in the Middle East, Reports on Middle East Development 2021-2022, available at: http:⁠/⁠/mideast.shisu.edu.cn/7b/ad/c3995a162733/page.htm.
5. Compiled and translated reports of foreign think tanks and wrote relevant important reports for the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, a key research base for Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education of P. R. China.