Opinion: China's Absence Questioned Amidst Gulf Region Tensions

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Gulf Fury: Why Is China Silent Despite Iran's Crisis?

At the heart of the China-Iran axis is a massive energy dependency. File image/Reuters

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News18•10-03-2026, 20:23

Gulf Fury: Why Is China Silent Despite Iran's Crisis?

•China's significant energy interests in Iran (14% oil imports) and the Strait of Hormuz (45% oil imports) are threatened by the Gulf conflict.
•Iran serves as a crucial buffer state, preventing Western influence in Central Asian regions vital to China's Belt and Road Initiative.
•Beijing's inaction may stem from "strategic patience," allowing the US to expend resources in the Middle East.
•Economic fragility and a preference for partnerships over military alliances could also explain China's reluctance to intervene directly.
•An isolated Iran becomes more dependent on China, and a US distracted in the Gulf benefits China's strategic focus on Taiwan and the South China Sea.

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