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Why China is staying on the sidelines of the US-Iran conflict
Decision based on consideration of Beijing’s own interests as well as its ties with Washington and others, analysts say
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Amber Wangin Beijing
China and Iran may be strategic partners but, as was the case with America’s special operation in Venezuela in January, China has offered no security support to Iran over the US and Israeli attacks.
The decision was based on a consideration of Beijing’s own interests, its ties with the US and other countries, and to minimise military and financial risks to China, according to analysts.
Since the large-scale attacks against Iran began over the weekend, Beijing has limited its response to diplomatic statements, denouncing the strikes and killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s long-time supreme leader, as “unacceptable” while calling for restraint and dialogue.
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Beijing’s response mirrors its position in previous crises involving a strategic partner state, including its condemnation of Washington’s capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Like Venezuela, Iran is an important oil supplier to China.
In both cases, Beijing voiced strong opposition to what it described as America’s blunt use of force but stopped short of furnishing material support.
Hu Bo, director of the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, a Beijing-based think tank, said China-Iran military ties were “far below what the outside world assumes”.
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