Published April 10, 2026, 12:41 p.m. EDT
Gordon Chang says Beijing supported Iran ‘in all areas except soldiers, sailors and pilots’ China’s growing involvement in Tensions in the Middle East offers Beijing the opportunity to position itself as a strategic player as President Donald Trump considers his next diplomatic moves with Iran.
Gordon Chang, senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, joined FOX Business’ Stuart Varney on “Varney & Co.” to discuss how China is exploiting its relationship with Iran to project influence while demonstrating goodwill ahead of a potential high-stakes meeting with President Donald Trump.
Recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz underscore the depth of coordination between Beijing and Tehran, particularly as Iran pushes for transactions in Chinese currency, a shift that could challenge the U.S. dollar’s dominance in global energy markets.
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Chang emphasized China’s broader role in supporting Iran’s position, noting that Beijing has provided considerable support without direct military involvement.
Chinese President Xi Jinping applauds during the plenary session of the Chinese National People’s Congress. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
“Of course, they supported Iran in everything except soldiers, sailors and pilots, but everything else,” Chang said.
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At the same time, China is trying to as diplomatic intermediary. Chang said Beijing had played a limited role in recent ceasefire efforts, but emphasized the strategic intent behind that involvement.
“It played a small role as a mediator in the ceasefire… But the fact is that China wanted to show that it was a mediator, to show its power, because President Trump is scheduled going to the Chinese capital on May 14… So they want goodwill,” Chang said.
The maneuver underscores how China balances influence and optics, using diplomacy to strengthen its position as tensions in the region continue to evolve.
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