US Media: China Not Taking Hard Stance on Middle East War, Seeks to Benefit from Both US and Iran
According to US media reports, China is not taking a hard stance on the US-Iran conflict but is instead attempting to benefit from both sides. While urging Iran to negotiate with the US, China is reportedly tacitly allowing Chinese companies to export military-grade materials to Iran.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 18:15
- 🔍 Collected: May 4, 2026 at 18:31 (16 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 4, 2026 at 19:25 (53 min after Collected)
Taipei, May 4 (CNA) After the United States and Israel jointly attacked Iran, China's attitude towards its long-time ally Iran has drawn global attention. US media reported that China is actually seeking to benefit from both the US and Iran, on one hand urging Iran to negotiate with the US, while on the other tacitly allowing Chinese companies to export military materials to Iran, thus adopting a balanced strategy.
The New York Times reported that as US President Donald Trump attempts to take the next step in the US-Iran war and is about to visit China, China is taking action to ensure it benefits regardless of the war's outcome. The Chinese government has not expressed a strong stance on this war so far.
The report pointed out that the US-Iran war will undoubtedly be an important topic during the meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for Beijing in May. US officials and analysts stated that the Chinese government has multiple objectives regarding the US-Iran war and is acting cautiously, thus adopting a balanced strategy.
According to analysis, the US getting bogged down again in the Middle East war benefits China in several ways: US forces rapidly consume large amounts of ammunition, depleting ammunition stockpiles that might be needed if the US were to conflict with China in the future, and also diverting the Trump administration's attention from Asia. On the other hand, soaring global energy prices continue to impact the Chinese economy, and the US blockade of Iranian ports has prevented some Chinese vessels from leaving Iran. Therefore, China also believes that ending the US-Iran war is in its own interest.
Sun Yun, Director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, a Washington think tank, believes that although some people think China might prefer a long-term US-Iran conflict, China's rhetoric actually leans towards de-escalation.
Rush Doshi, former Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs at the White House National Security Council, believes that for China, the problem with the US-Iran war is the US blockade; while for the US, the problem with the US-Iran war is China's support for Iran.
Information obtained by US intelligence agencies indicates that a Chinese company is attempting to transport a batch of shoulder-fired missiles to Iran; other US officials stated that Chinese companies have already delivered dual-use military and civilian goods to Iran. The US Navy also intercepted an Iranian cargo ship attempting to transport goods from China to Iran. Trump expressed a nonchalant attitude about this in a media interview, but this shows he is trying to ensure a smooth summit with Xi Jinping.
Sun Yun, who recently visited Beijing for exchanges, believes that Chinese officials will not exert substantial pressure on Iran until Trump directly requests it. However, because Chinese officials hope to strengthen US-China relations, they might take any requests from Trump regarding Iran seriously.
The report mentioned that Iranian officials stated that China had privately told Iran that it "should show flexibility and agree to a ceasefire."
However, some experts believe that China's willingness to expand its diplomatic influence in the Middle East may be limited.
Ryan Hass, Director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution and former White House National Security Council official, stated that China's considerations are pragmatic, desiring "reliable energy supplies" and "secure export markets," and is unwilling to transfer other regional security challenges onto itself. (Editor: Qiu Guojiang / Zhu Jianling) 1150504
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The New York Times reported that as US President Donald Trump attempts to take the next step in the US-Iran war and is about to visit China, China is taking action to ensure it benefits regardless of the war's outcome. The Chinese government has not expressed a strong stance on this war so far.
The report pointed out that the US-Iran war will undoubtedly be an important topic during the meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for Beijing in May. US officials and analysts stated that the Chinese government has multiple objectives regarding the US-Iran war and is acting cautiously, thus adopting a balanced strategy.
According to analysis, the US getting bogged down again in the Middle East war benefits China in several ways: US forces rapidly consume large amounts of ammunition, depleting ammunition stockpiles that might be needed if the US were to conflict with China in the future, and also diverting the Trump administration's attention from Asia. On the other hand, soaring global energy prices continue to impact the Chinese economy, and the US blockade of Iranian ports has prevented some Chinese vessels from leaving Iran. Therefore, China also believes that ending the US-Iran war is in its own interest.
Sun Yun, Director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, a Washington think tank, believes that although some people think China might prefer a long-term US-Iran conflict, China's rhetoric actually leans towards de-escalation.
Rush Doshi, former Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs at the White House National Security Council, believes that for China, the problem with the US-Iran war is the US blockade; while for the US, the problem with the US-Iran war is China's support for Iran.
Information obtained by US intelligence agencies indicates that a Chinese company is attempting to transport a batch of shoulder-fired missiles to Iran; other US officials stated that Chinese companies have already delivered dual-use military and civilian goods to Iran. The US Navy also intercepted an Iranian cargo ship attempting to transport goods from China to Iran. Trump expressed a nonchalant attitude about this in a media interview, but this shows he is trying to ensure a smooth summit with Xi Jinping.
Sun Yun, who recently visited Beijing for exchanges, believes that Chinese officials will not exert substantial pressure on Iran until Trump directly requests it. However, because Chinese officials hope to strengthen US-China relations, they might take any requests from Trump regarding Iran seriously.
The report mentioned that Iranian officials stated that China had privately told Iran that it "should show flexibility and agree to a ceasefire."
However, some experts believe that China's willingness to expand its diplomatic influence in the Middle East may be limited.
Ryan Hass, Director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution and former White House National Security Council official, stated that China's considerations are pragmatic, desiring "reliable energy supplies" and "secure export markets," and is unwilling to transfer other regional security challenges onto itself. (Editor: Qiu Guojiang / Zhu Jianling) 1150504
Choose to stand with facts; your every sponsorship empowers press freedom.
Download CNA's "Firsthand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
All text, images, and videos on this website are not to be reproduced, broadcast, or transmitted publicly without authorization.