China Evacuates 3,000 Nationals From Iran as Beijing Condemns U.S. and Israeli Strikes as Violation of International Law

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning at the regular press briefing in Beijing on March 2, 2026. Image via the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At least 3,000 Chinese nationals have been evacuated from Iran over the past 72 hours, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning. The exodus follows calls for Chinese nationals across the Persian Gulf and the Mideast to leave, if possible, or shelter in place if not.

There are an estimated 400,000 Chinese expatriates in the United Arab Emirates alone, but so far, the Foreign Ministry has provided no indication that it will facilitate an evacuation from the UAE or any other country in the region that is now embroiled in the escalating conflict.

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by Eric Olander

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[UPDATE] One Chinese national killed in Tehran, according to Foreign Ministry in Beijing.

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