China condemns US attack on Iran and the law of the jungle

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi strongly condemned the escalation of the Middle East conflict sparked by the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran. Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual ‘Two Sessions’ in Beijing on Sunday, 8 March, Wang said the armed conflict should never have occurred. ‘A firm grip does not equate to a sound justification. The world must not return to the law of the jungle,’ he told reporters.

The remarks come amid heightened geopolitical tensions involving the administration of President Donald Trump, which since returning to the White House last year has triggered a new wave of tariff retaliation in a trade war. Beijing, which maintains close diplomatic and trade ties with Tehran, has previously condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Wang emphasised that 2026 represents a crucial moment for China–United States relations. He urged Washington to manage the differences and to remove unnecessary interference to help create global stability.

Separately, despite Western criticisms over the conflict in Ukraine, Wang stated that the strategic partnership between Beijing and Moscow remains solid. ‘In the face of a turbulent and complex international environment, China–Russia relations remain firm and unwavering,’ he said.