Users of Chinese electronic maps were surprised to find that the name "Israel" no longer appears on major Chinese sites like "Baidu" and "Alibaba," amidst anticipation of Tel Aviv's reaction. This removal has become a common topic of discussion in China, with questions about whether this reflects a stance on the Israeli war against Gaza. An expert in Chinese affairs explained to "Sky News Arabia" why Israel cannot formally protest this situation.
According to a report by the American newspaper "Wall Street Journal" on Tuesday, major Chinese companies like "Baidu" and "Alibaba" no longer refer to Israel by name in the digital maps they publish online. The digital maps on "Baidu" delineate the borders between Palestine and Israel but do not name the state explicitly; a similar observation was made on "Alibaba's" map, even though smaller countries like Luxembourg are clearly identified. The two companies have not yet provided an official explanation for this matter.
