China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called the ongoing Middle East war “a conflict that should never have happened,” urging restraint even as tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran continue to escalate. Speaking at China’s annual Two Sessions, Wang stressed that efforts at regime change, a stated aim of US President Donald Trump, “will find no popular support” and warned against a return to the “law of the jungle.”
Marking a notably conciliatory tone toward Washington, Wang emphasized China’s commitment to mutual respect in US-China relations. He described recent discussions between Trump and President Xi Jinping as “heartening” and said 2026 is a critical year for bilateral ties, urging both sides to act with “sincerity and good faith.”
China condemned US actions in Venezuela and Iran, key oil suppliers and strategic partners, but stopped short of directly criticizing Trump or jeopardizing his upcoming visit to Beijing from 31 March to 2 April. Analysts suggest Beijing aims to leverage face-to-face talks to address trade, Taiwan, and global conflicts, without escalating tensions.
Wang also reiterated China’s hardline stance on Taiwan, calling reunification “a historical process that cannot be stopped,” while criticizing Japan’s military rhetoric as reminiscent of its past aggression in Asia. The foreign minister’s remarks reflect Beijing’s careful balancing act—condemning US military actions while maintaining channels for dialogue.
