China views Iran as a secondary partner while Pakistan holds a primary position, evident during recent conflicts in West Asia where China refrained from military involvement following strikes that targeted Iran’s leadership. The relationship between China and Iran is strategic, focusing on economic cooperation and intelligence sharing, without a mutual defense clause seen in China’s commitments to Pakistan.
The 25-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Iran emphasizes various sectors such as infrastructure, banking, energy, and military-technical collaboration, but falls short of the firm assurances China provides to Pakistan. Amid tensions in West Asia, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed regret over the conflict, avoiding direct blame on any party involved.
China’s cautious stance during the conflict was driven by strategic interests, including the buildup of significant petroleum reserves sourced from sanctioned Iranian, Russian, and Venezuelan oil at discounted rates. While China supports Pakistan militarily, it refrains from similar military backing for Iran, focusing instead on providing technological support like satellite navigation and intelligence access.
Despite potential arms sales to Iran from China post-conflict, Chinese military experts warn of vulnerabilities in Iran’s defense capabilities against advanced threats, highlighting China’s delicate balancing act between supporting Iran and avoiding conflicts with nations like Israel and the United States.
