China Goes on Diplomatic Offensive as Israel-Iran War Distracts America

Newsweek

19-06-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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As Israel and Iran exchanged missile fire on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Central Asian countries to deepen cooperation under China's "Belt and Road" infrastructure initiative—marking the latest step in what analysts call Beijing's diplomatic offensive—and highlighted in a recent podcast by the China-Global South Project (CGSP).
Newsweek reached out to the Chinese embassy via email with a request for comment.
Why It Matters
China's global influence continues to expand, particularly in the developing world—often at the expense of the United States.
This trend has accelerated under U.S. President Donald Trump's second administration, which has withdrawn from a range of traditional U.S. leadership initiatives and soft power programs, including the World Health Organization, USAID and PEPFAR.
What To Know
The summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, saw Xi announce a dozen cooperation agreements spanning green mining, trade, connectivity, personnel exchanges and customs, according to Chinese state media. The previous week, China secured $11.4 billion in deals during the fourth China-Africa trade expo, hosted by the foreign minister in Changsha, Hunan Province.
The two powers are "going in very divergent directions," said Eric Olander, editor-in-chief of CGSP.
The podcast discussion turned to China's vocal support for Iran, as Xi spoke out Tuesday to rebuke Israel for sparking the conflict with its surprise attack last week.
Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for a photo during their meeting on the sidelines of the China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, on June 17.
Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for a photo during their meeting on the sidelines of the China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, on June 17.
Uzbekistan's Presidential Press Service via AP
"This conflict—China came out very quickly and did not pretend to try and be a neutral arbiter, did not pretend to be kind of nonpartisan at all," Olander said.
"They came out very quickly, backed Iran in this, framed the Israelis as the aggressor, and then also positioned the United States as manipulating all of this, which is par for the course in a lot of these types of incidents."
CGSP Managing Editor Cobus van Staden added, "So not only in the diplomatic realm where China is coming out so strongly in favor of Iran, but also there are very steep economic consequences for the Chinese."
Iran received diplomatic support from China—a longtime strategic partner and major export market—during previous, smaller exchanges of missile fire with Israel in April and October last year.
The latest crisis began Friday with Israel's surprise strikes on a range of Iranian targets, including nuclear facilities, missile batteries, senior military leaders and nuclear scientists. Iran responded with retaliatory missile and drone attacks.
What's Next
The U.S. response remains uncertain. Trump has signaled that the U.S. will be involved in Israel's bombing raids against Iran in some capacity, demanding Tehran's "unconditional surrender" in a Truth Social post earlier this week. It remains to be seen whether Washington will order direct military action or limit its role to support.