Mandarin Under The Chador: Iran's China Connection In Its War Against Israel And The West

Memri

24-07-2025

When Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in Brussels in early July, he made a statement that stunned the European diplomats present – and, subsequently, the world. He said that "China cannot afford for Russia to lose the war in Ukraine."[1]
Often described as expressionless and inscrutable, Chinese officials rarely state their positions so boldly and openly on sensitive, high-stakes issues like the Russia-Ukraine war. This move, as explained by renowned Chinese military expert Yao Cheng, clearly indicates that China is fundamentally shifting its military posture from strategic defense to offense.
(See MEMRI TV Clip No. 12169, Taiwanese News Panel On Iran Purchasing Chinese Weapons: Iran Wants To Reorganize And Build A Next-Generation, Fully Chinese-Made Air Force, July 3, 2025)
Preventing Western Encirclement
This shift also has significant implications for another ongoing conflict thousands of kilometers from the Ukrainian battlefield: Iran. The mentality and strategy driving China's support for Russia, as explicitly stated by Wang Yi, are mirrored in its approach to Iran. China views Iran as a global anti-American stronghold. If Iran were to fall, the U.S. and the West would be free to focus their attention exclusively on China – seen by many political analysts as the greatest challenge to the U.S.-led world order since World War II.
This is why China is firmly committed to providing substantial military and strategic aid to Iran amid its conflicts with Israel, the U.S., and Western allies.[2]
Chinese military expert Yao Cheng explained that China's calculated pivot is deeply rooted in energy security and perceived geopolitical stability. He emphasized that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) considers Iran a vital strategic partner, stating, "Iran's strategic position is simply too important."
From a broader geopolitical perspective, a defeat or collapse of Iran would dramatically shift the regional balance of power, significantly enhancing U.S. influence in the Middle East – particularly over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for China's energy imports. Chinese commentators observed that, if Iran collapses, U.S. power will flood into the region like a tidal wave, posing a severe threat to China's oil security, trade routes, and even its Belt and Road Initiative. This commentary underscores that China's "strategic buffers" – Iran and Russia – are essential for preventing complete Western encirclement.
China's Military Support
Other sources further highlight the scope of China's military support. Iran's interests in acquiring advanced Chinese military equipment – such as the "aerial sniper" combination of J-10C jets and PL-15 missiles – will reshape the regional military landscape. This equipment, described as "game-changing" and capable of "rewriting regional air combat rules," underscores Beijing's intent not merely to stabilize Iran but to empower it militarily against Western and Israeli threats.
Supporting this, Taiwanese media report that Iran, with Chinese backing, is undertaking an ambitious military modernization program. This includes plans to rebuild its air force using systems like the KJ-500 radar, marking a shift toward a "next-generation, fully Chinese-made systematic combat capability."[3]
At the onset of the most recent Israel-Iran conflict, several Chinese social media videos mocked the Iranian military's weak response. These could be interpreted as subtle promotions of Chinese-made weapons to Iran. During the recent India-Pakistan conflict, reports indicated that the Pakistani Air Force achieved superior results using Chinese jets and missiles. Chinese manufacturers are now eager to replicate this perceived success with Iran, as promoted on Chinese social media.
Chinese netizens – likely encouraged by the Chinese government, given that all media platforms are under CCP control inside China – flooded the Iranian Embassy's official Weibo account to offer advice on how to defeat Israel. The Iranian Embassy in China responded with a special "Thank You" message to Chinese netizens, even accompanied by an English-subtitled video.[4]
China's Determined Aid To Iran
The dominant tone on Chinese social media regarding Israel is openly hostile, fueling hatred toward the Jewish people. This sentiment has intensified in recent years, as Israel is increasingly seen as a staunch ally of the U.S.
After an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian nuclear facility, some Chinese users posted tributes on X, mourning "lost Chinese engineers in Iran." These posts were quickly removed, likely because they risked revealing sensitive information about China's involvement in Iran's nuclear development.
Chinese military expert even stated that the "big boss" behind Iran and the Houthis is the CCP. The Chinese Communist Party is backing the hostilities that Iran and the Houthis have launched against Israel and the West. In summary, China's determined aid to Iran is a calculated, multi-layered strategy driven by energy security, regional power dynamics, and global geopolitical ambitions. The narratives presented in the aforementioned videos make it clear that China's commitment to Iran is neither casual nor temporary, but part of a long-standing, global anti-American agenda.