China's main aim is to blame the U.S. and Israel for turmoil in the Middle East.
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for visiting President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, prior to their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, February 14, 2023. Credit: Yan Yan/Xinhua via Getty Images
Chinese policy in the Middle East is shaped by two factors: China’s threat perceptions and its strategic calculus regarding its great-power competition with the United States. And when it comes to dealing with the U.S., China’s approach comes down to three “nos”: no cooperation, no support, and no confrontation. This credo underlies China’s decision not to push back against the Iran-backed Houthis as they carry out drone and missile attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes.
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