Foreign & Public Diplomacy

Welcome to Foreign Policy’s China Brief.

The highlights this week: China reacts to the war in Iran, the United States diverts military assets from the Asia-Pacific, and the National People’s Congress convenes in Beijing for its annual two sessions meetings.

Welcome to Foreign Policy’s China Brief.

The highlights this week: China reacts to the war in Iran, the United States diverts military assets from the Asia-Pacific, and the National People’s Congress convenes in Beijing for its annual two sessions meetings.

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China’s Predictable Play in Iran

As war erupts in the Middle East again, China is again keeping its distance—offering rhetorical condemnation but not much direct support for Iran after U.S. and Israeli strikes began over the weekend.

Some analysts have predictably attempted to frame the war in Iran as part of a coherent U.S. grand strategy toward China. This commentary is driven more by careerism than serious analysis, but it reflects a broader misunderstanding of the forces that shape Chinese attitudes. 

The truth is that China is an unentangled superpower, in contrast to the United States and the Soviet Union. It has only one formal mutual defense pact—albeit a troublesome one—with North Korea. Beijing is less willing to commit to permanent relationships, especially when it comes to defense, and more comfortable cutting its losses than Washington.

Still, U.S. analysts sometimes seem desperate to portray countries such as Iran or Venezuela as pillars of........

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