China’s Relationship with Iran: More Balancing Act than All In

A file image of the former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (R) and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during the signing of their 25-year strategic cooperation pact in 2021.

While China has expressed support for Iran as it faces attacks from Israel and the United States, readouts from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s conversation with Iran’s Abbas Araghchi hint at a more complex position.

Wang’s emphasis on the securing of Chinese institutions and people, as well as his repeated references to respecting the rights of neighboring countries, show that China’s interests in the region go far beyond Iran.

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by Cobus van Staden

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