Since the U.S. government killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on January 3, 2020, the whole world has been bracing for impact that could potentially escalate to a major regional conflict or even a global war.

Although China is not directly involved in the U.S.-Iran feud, as Washington’s most important strategic rival, the positions, alignment and calculations of China at this volatile time have significant implications for the development on the ground between U.S. and China and for the U.S. national security strategy. 

The first and most direct reaction to the killing of Mr. Soleimani in China was delight. While some Chinese applauded the event as the U.S. “stirring up the hornets’ nest” (therefore, bound to be severely stung), more Chinese policy wonks saw the reemergence of a long-desired “window of strategic opportunity.”

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