The recent revelation of an agreement between China and Iran to strengthen their economic and security ties has surprised many. Some find it strange that Beijing should want to add more stress to its already difficult relationship with Washington. Others question the wisdom of Beijing explicitly aligning itself with Tehran, which could upset the delicate balance China has worked hard to maintain for itself between Iran and Saudi Arabia. In fact, China is pursuing such deals with Iran precisely in order to build allies among “like-minded” countries to counter what Beijing perceives as an anti-China coalition led by the US. These alliances are more significant than the US thinks, and, equally, more fragile than Beijing might hope.
The deterioration of relations between Beijing and Washington in recent years has forced China to attempt to forge ties with previously undesirable partners. Among the states which matter in the great power competition and are not yet in the Western club, Russia and Iran are the two most consequential “friendly forces” for China. Iran, with its regional influence and ambition in the Middle East, as well as its grievance and defiance toward Washington, has become increasingly attractive in China’s grand strategy.
The value and desirability of Iran as an ally for China have been on the rise this year as Covid-19 pushes US-China relations into freefall. The “unprecedented complications in the external environment,” as a People’s Daily editorial expressed it, has put Beijing on a direct collision course with many countries, including Australia, India, Canada, Japan and Europe, over a variety of issues, from territorial and maritime disputes to the status of Hong Kong and Taiwan. As China’s relations with the US and the perceived US-led coalition sink to their nadir, Beijing is seeking out any sympathetic force that can strengthen China’s international standing.
Read full op-ed in Syndication Bureau.
