Chinese tech behemoths Alibaba and Baidu have made Israel go unmapped on their geographic information system software as the digital cartography of these companies no longer displays the country's name.
“Israel can no longer be found on China's leading online digital maps on platforms including Baidu and Alibaba, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
According to the report, Baidu's Chinese language maps still show the borders of both Israel and the Palestinian territories, as well as key cities in the region. However, they no longer identify Israel by name.
Alibaba's Amap also no longer displays the name of Israel on its maps. According to the report, the platform is usually known for its attention to details, with even small countries like Luxembourg clearly labeled.
The companies did not respond to media requests for comment. According to the publication, it is unclear when exactly the name Israel disappeared from their maps, but web users have apparently been discussing the development since the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict earlier this month.
The Chinese government has not taken sides in the Mideast conflict, calling on the belligerents to end the hostilities and condemning attacks on civilians. However, Beijing has a long history of supporting Palestine. It recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1964 and Palestinian sovereignty in 1988, and later established full diplomatic relations with the Palestinian Authority in 1989”. -RT
Whereas the removal of Israel's name from Alibaba and Baidu's maps may raise questions over Beijing’s neutrality with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip, there can be little doubt as to whether China’s push toward further involvement in the Middle East will invite the ire of the United States, whose regional dominance would be placed at risk if the fighting between Israel and Hamas were to escalate across the Arabian Peninsula.