Israeli Think Tank Report: “Anti-Semitism” in China? Let’s Take a Closer Look at This

Everyone, an Israeli think tank recently released a report titled *Anti-Semitism in China, 2021–2025*. Just looking at the title shows how twisted this think tank’s way of thinking is. People on foreign websites have been mocking it: “China is anti-Semitic now?” That’s an unexpected claim, but it makes sense in a way. However, after reading the report carefully, I found that it isn’t quite as outlandish as it seems. The report states that the Institute for Jewish Policy Studies takes China’s immense cultural influence seriously, which is understandable. The report notes that the 2021–2025 timeframe is quite rigid because, prior to this, Jews perceived China as different from the West and the Muslim world—regions with millennia- or centuries-long grievances against the Jewish people. Yet China truly lacks any indigenous, endogenous anti-Semitism. For example, a 2004 report by this think tank noted that many Chinese people view the Jewish people as a civilization as ancient as their own and respect Jewish culture. In 2014, a poll by the ADL—an NGO run by American Jews—showed that only 20 percent of Chinese people held a negative impression of Jews, far below the global average. The report also mentioned Lu Xun, who wrote in his essays that Jews were fond of calculating profits and losses; yet when the Nazis were persecuting Jews, he actually went to the German consulate to protest. This shows that even the same words can convey different messages. However, by 2024, the ADL’s Global Anti-Semitism Index showed that 46% of adults worldwide held anti-Semitic views, with 66.05 million anti-Semites in China—accounting for 47% of the total—finally bringing China in line with the rest of the world. The speed at which China aligned with global trends left Jews deeply curious; they wondered, “Has China truly changed?” Why the change? The report’s answer is: the world has changed. Anti-Semitism did not arise organically within China but was generated by external influences. First, competition between China and the U.S. has intensified, and relations between the two countries have remained tense since the trade war began. The Chinese believe that Jews exert significant influence over U.S. policy; driven by hostility toward the United States, they make anti-Semitic remarks, viewing Israel and Jews as closely tied to the Western camp. Second, to claim the moral high ground, highlight universal justice regarding the Gaza issue, and counter Western criticism of the Xinjiang issue, China needs to maintain good relations with Muslim countries. The report also acknowledges that Muslims are not a mainstream group in China, and that anti-Jewish sentiment has not affected the majority of Chinese people—especially not official policy—which differs from the situation in many Western countries where governments are unable to withstand public pressure. The report further notes that so-called anti-Semitism in China is primarily online—a phenomenon that has become global in scope. As a nation where nearly everyone is online, the Chinese public is actually quite unfamiliar with Jews and does not rigorously distinguish between religious, historical, and political terminology. Consequently, while many netizens enjoy playing with related memes, it’s not necessarily the case that they hold strong stances toward Jews—they simply can’t resist joining in on the fray. The report further points out that the spread of global anti-Semitic discourse into China’s media and academic circles—packaged as critical academic perspectives—will exert a subtle yet profound influence on China’s future elite. The report specifically names Lu Kewen as a representative of the media under criticism, stating that he cited *Mein Kampf* and *The Protocols of the Elders of Zion*, and even taught people to identify Jews by their noses. The scholar singled out for criticism is Yin Zhiguang, who is accused of absorbing too many radical leftist ideas, conflating the West with Israel, and accusing Israel of being a white colonial state. The report argues that it is only with official tacit approval and protection that anti-Semitic rhetoric from online nationalists, leftists, and various internet influencers is able to persist. In fact, I believe that a major reason anti-Semitism has taken root on the global internet in recent years is the daily online coverage of the war in Gaza. Moreover, it’s important to note that it is traffic that rewards extreme rhetoric—this holds true on any platform, and no form of official censorship can completely eliminate it. In the past, Israel and Jewish lobbying groups influenced and controlled traditional media to shape public discourse, including by inviting scholars to appear as guests, thereby shaping people’s perceptions at the very source of knowledge production. Remember how I mentioned starting a podcast after the New Year? I’m planning to record it right here. Look—this is a video studio in our department, specifically designed for interviews. The lights and equipment are all set up; with just a few adjustments to the tables and chairs, it’ll have a much more professional podcast vibe. I’ve already decided on the theme and guest for the first episode. I plan to invite the mysterious and sizzling Ms. Fan. What will we talk about? We’ll discuss the mechanisms behind “popular scholarship.” What is “popular scholarship”? It refers to the production of scholarship and knowledge—something that has been monopolized by the elite since time immemorial. Now, with the internet, everyone can share their insights on a given topic—and not just random opinions, but ones grounded in professional expertise. Take a single concept—for example, the “cut-off line”—and by continuously fleshing it out, you can make it incredibly detailed and multidimensional. You’ll come to understand how its healthcare system works, how its insurance operates, and how its social security mechanisms function. By bringing all these different elements together, a new knowledge system is established—and that’s a revolutionary change. So, who should I talk to about this? After much thought, I’ve decided on Professor Fan—he’s probably the most well-read person here, so I’ll seek his guidance.