How is Beijing responding to the joint U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran? Over forty high-level Iranian officials have been killed, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—a key ally of the Chinese Communist Party in the Middle East.
Officially, Beijing is calling for respect for Iran’s sovereignty and a return to the negotiating table. But Beijing hasn’t identified which Iranian leaders are still alive to take part in negotiations.
In the background, there’s been a subtle shift in the Taiwan Strait. Right after the attack on Iran, Beijing halted its daily routine of sending military aircraft to intimidate the island over the next three days. Instead, it sent only a balloon.