The secret military alliance that bypassed the Cold War's iron curtain

Countries & Cities · Published 14 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While the world watched the superpowers clash during the 1980s, Israel and China were quietly forging a clandestine partnership. From retrofitting heavy tanks to supplying weapons for the Afghan mujahideen, these two nations built a foundation of defense cooperation that predated their formal diplomatic recognition by years.

The relationship between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Israel is defined by a paradox: deep economic integration contrasted with sharp geopolitical friction. Although they formally established diplomatic ties in 1992, their cooperation began much earlier in secret. During the Soviet–Afghan War in the 1980s, both nations—despite being on opposite sides of many global issues—cooperated to assist the Islamic resistance against the Soviets. This era saw Israel supplying captured weapons and China providing military support, creating a pragmatic bridge between two states that were not yet official partners.

A major driver of this early cooperation was Western pressure. Following the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, an international arms embargo froze Chinese access to advanced technology from the United States and Europe. Israel stepped in as a 'backdoor,' selling technology to upgrade Chinese tanks and planes. This arrangement served both nations: China modernized its military with Western-compatible tech, while Israel secured the capital needed to fund its own domestic high-tech weapons programs. Estimates suggest Israel may have sold arms worth US$4 billion to China during this period.

The bond is becoming more tense due to competition involving China and the USA, which serves as the main security protector for Israel. While China remains Israel's second-largest trading partner globally, recent events have soured ties. Following the October 7 attacks, China classified Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide and called for an arms embargo in August 2025. This shift highlights a move from the pragmatic, secret cooperation of the 1980s to a high-stakes geopolitical confrontation over regional influence and human rights.

Despite these tensions, historical threads remain. The two nations often reference Shanghai as a haven for Jewish refugees during the 1930s and 40s—a shared point of cultural history that remains a significant touchstone for modern officials visiting the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum.

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