China’s foreign minister says Iran war ‘should never have happened’

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/08/chinas-foreign-minister-says-iran-war-should-never-have-happened

Wang Yi cautioned against a return to the ‘law of the jungle’ but stopped short of criticising Trump directly

War in the Middle East “should never have happened”, China’s foreign minister Wang Yi has declared, even as he struck a more conciliatory tone with the US ahead of a highly anticipated visit by Donald Trump.

Regime change, a key stated aim of the US president as the US and Israel continue to attack Iran, “will find no popular support”, Wang said on Sunday. “A strong fist does not mean strong reason. The world cannot return to the law of the jungle,” he added.

Speaking on the sidelines of China’s annual parliamentary and political gatherings, known as the Two Sessions, the country’s top diplomat and foreign affairs official notably avoided directly criticising the US.

414 points · 76 comments · view on lemmy.world

76 Comments

probable_possum@leminal.space · 55 pts · 165d (7 replies)

Any war should never have happened. But at one point some people decide that the status quo isn't good and war is the only way to move forward. Perfectly good resources are wasted, civilians die, trust between peoples is destroyed.

And when war has begun, politicians again use the war as a basis for argumentation for their own agenda. It colors the meaning of a statement.

SARGE@startrek.website · 27 pts · 165d (4 replies)
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atomicbocks@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 165d

The perversion of executive into leader is part of how we got here. Executives are supposed to answer I other people not lead anything. Like how a CEO in theory answers to a board of directors.

Hamartia@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 165d (1 reply)

Wouldn't the world be rapidly conquered by some Thrud the Barbarian type leader then?

SARGE@startrek.website · 8 pts · 165d
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Tollana1234567@lemmy.today · 2 pts · 164d

i met a few iranians, one was obviously Openly lgbtq+ another one later in a different university was ba'hai and she hated the islamic regime because they were ethnically cleansing the ba'hai

TrickDacy@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 165d

Probably the best way to sum up war, honestly.

Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 165d

We need to have our leaders personally duel instead, loser can give some concessions. Challenged leader gets to pick the weapon...

AmidFuror@fedia.io · 36 pts · 165d (19 replies)

Good to hear Taiwan will only be reunified diplomatically, if ever.

Buffalox@lemmy.world · 13 pts · 165d

You don't understand the situation. China does not consider Taiwan a separate independent country, and has never recognized it as such. Unfortunately USA and most of the world has agreed to accept the 1 China policy, which means Taiwan is not treated as a real country in many international contexts.
China see Taiwan as an occupied part of China.
So by their definition they are within their right to attack Taiwan, including by international law as they see it.
So in their view, they can say this, and attack Taiwan, without seeing that as a double standard. And the west has basically agreed to it from a legal perspective. But at the same time USA say they protect Taiwan, which would traditionally have meant likely the rest of NATO too. But now NATO is in shambles because of Trump, so maybe USA will be alone now. America first!

Riverside@reddthat.com · -1 pts · 165d (15 replies)
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otp@sh.itjust.works · 8 pts · 165d (12 replies)

It's not related to Taiwan, but that commenter made a connection. Do you not get it?

Riverside@reddthat.com · -4 pts · 165d (11 replies)
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Wataba@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 165d (1 reply)

Using 'lib' as an insult just exposes the idiocy, thanks for self reporting.

Red MAGA, Green MAGA, it doesn't change.

Riverside@reddthat.com · 2 pts · 164d
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Aceticon@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 0 pts · 164d (8 replies)

The exact same Principle applies to judging the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the American and Israeli aggression against Iran and the possible Chinese aggression against Taiwan.

The difference for the latter is that so far it has only been threats, hence only concern about the possibility of it happening is justified, whilst judging China for it is not justified.

Not saying that some (maybe even most) people knee-jerking "Taiwan" as soon as somebody says "China" aren't being good little propaganda-driven muppets, rather I'm saying that some are not and their concern comes from personal principles around aggression and self-determination.

Riverside@reddthat.com · 1 pts · 164d (7 replies)
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Aceticon@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 0 pts · 164d (6 replies)

Communist China has invaded and annexed Tibet.

So China when governed by the very same political force as governs it now is a proven imperialist.

They're also more powerful than Russia and on their way to supplant the US.

It makes total sense to be worried that a powerful nation which under a government of the same ideology as governs it now has done so, will invade another far weaker and much smaller neighboring country which they've been consistently claiming to be "part of our nation" for decades.

What it doesn't make sense is to blame China for something they haven't actually done, only talked about.

Riverside@reddthat.com · 0 pts · 164d
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AmidFuror@fedia.io · 1 pts · 165d (1 reply)

Just be thankful I didn't bring up the Hundred Acre Wood.

Riverside@reddthat.com · 0 pts · 164d
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balsoft@lemmy.ml · -1 pts · 164d (1 reply)

That's what Xi keeps repeating, that reunification is only possible by continuously strengthening economic, cultural and even political ties. Western media keeps trying to claim he wants to "take Taiwan by force" but there's never a source, it's always "read between the lines" of his speeches.

napkin2020@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 164d

Idk continuous military landing drill and jets doesn't really look peaceful.

Plus this: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-says-it-absolutely-will-not-rule-out-use-force-over-taiwan-2025-10-29/

I don't plan on having arguement with .ml so just ignore though.

Buffalox@lemmy.world · 34 pts · 165d (14 replies)

The world cannot return to the law of the jungle,” he added.

If only he had said that to Putin too, when Russia invaded Ukraine and started a full scale war.
Time for Europe to hold him to this announcement.

SlurpingPus@lemmy.world · -5 pts · 164d (13 replies)

China did denounce the war in Ukraine.

Buffalox@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 164d (10 replies)

As I recall it, that was a bit ambiguous.

SlurpingPus@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 164d (9 replies)

Iirc they said that diplomatic measures should've been employed instead.

All in all, it didn't matter then and doesn't now, because they just keep this ‘neutral’ thing going and denounce this and that. The actual trade policy and such work by a completely different logic. They aren't gonna boycott the US or sever trade with them, just as they haven't with Russia.

Buffalox@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 164d (8 replies)

Iirc they said that diplomatic measures should’ve been employed instead.

Which is total bullshit, what diplomatic measureless were necessary or even possible? When Ukraine was absolutely peaceful, and Putin was promised that Ukraine wouldn't become a NATO member? And Putin attacked Ukraine with an argument of denazification, which is insane since Ukraine is a democracy, and their leader is Jewish! Of the 2 Russia is clearly the very Nazi like totalitarian regime.

That statement by China was for appearances only, it was hollow and completely lacked any criticism of Putin or Russia or the war crimes Russia is committing.

Which is why I don't remember China speaking against the war in any real way.

73ms@sopuli.xyz · -1 pts · 164d (2 replies)

Of course there could still have been diplomatic measures, Zelensky wanted to negotiate with the Russians until the very end and Ukraine seemed to believe Putin wouldn't ultimately invade even when USA was saying they're almost certainly going to and released supporting intel.

That's not to say Russia wasn't always in the wrong since the 2013 events of course but it doesn't mean the Ukrainians weren't willing to compromise on some things in 2022 just to get some normalcy.

Buffalox@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 164d (1 reply)

Obviously calling for a diplomatic solution makes no sense until AFTER the invasion.
Before that as you mention, even Zelensky didn't think the Russians would invade.

Why would China call for a diplomatic solution to something that hasn't happened yet?

73ms@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 164d

It wasn't just the invasion that needed a diplomatic solution, there was after all a war already going on in Eastern Ukraine since 2014 even if it had somewhat frozen. The Russian troop concentrations were interpreted by some like Zel as just posturing in order to bring that conflict to an end through a diplomatic solution while the previous agreements had failed.

clot27@lemmy.zip · -1 pts · 164d (4 replies)

USA did promise to gorbachev about not one inch to east tho? But NATO is just expanding and expanding

I am not justifying russia, what they did was stupid and evil but talk on facts

Buffalox@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 164d (3 replies)

Nope, no such promise was ever part of any formal agreement between NATO/USA and Russia.
It would also be pretty moronic, since voluntary unification of Germany was always a goal for West Germany. Which would automatically move the NATO border east.

There was possibly a promise that East Germany would not be used by NATO forces, but that agreement had nothing to do with including new member countries.
Also that agreement wasn't formal, and was definitely not meant to be binding long term.

clot27@lemmy.zip · -3 pts · 164d

This was said after unification of Germany

US ambassador to USSR Jack F Matlock also accepted this on TV

remon@ani.social · 1 pts · 164d (1 reply)

Yes, that was some great lip service.

SlurpingPus@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 164d

Exactly. Just like this time.

Redditsux@lemmy.world · 21 pts · 165d (1 reply)

China has to speak from both sides of the mouth. Iran is a client and source of its oil. US is a client and source of its $1 trillion dollar trade surplus. China needs both of them.

Tollana1234567@lemmy.today · 2 pts · 164d

which they are both frenemies of russia, he doesnt want to upset that balance too.

Etterra@discuss.online · 20 pts · 165d (5 replies)

Well I mean how else was the president going to distract us all from him being in the Epstein files millions of times.

Patrikvo@lemmy.zip · 4 pts · 164d (3 replies)
  • Universal health care.
  • Financial help for the poor.
  • Free music performances in all states
  • Large momnument construction
  • Investing in local infrastructure
  • Visiting sick kids in a hospital.

Probably a lot more of those. And none of these involve killing people.

Etterra@discuss.online · 3 pts · 164d

Yeah but you forgot that our president is a malignant narcissist.

kittykillinit@lemy.lol · 2 pts · 164d

Americans only care about what gives more power to their rulers.

BigTwerp@feddit.uk · -3 pts · 164d

All at the low low cost of eradicating people you find genetically inferior: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Uyghurs_in_China

CeeBee_Eh@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 164d

It was never about that. There's already been a lot of instability in Iran (massive water shortages) and this was just an opportunity to put their foot on Iran's neck to cause even more instability. With that instability created and oil prices going up, it will cause global inflation. With things becoming priced out for regular people it will cause some markets to crash, then the ultra rich will buy up those things and consolidate even more wealth and power.

TerdFerguson@lemmy.world · 19 pts · 164d (3 replies)

Great. I agree.

What does China think of what's been going on in Ukraine for the last four years?

hietsu@sopuli.xyz · 8 pts · 164d (2 replies)
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Karl@literature.cafe · 1 pts · 164d (1 reply)

their puppet

Who?

SreudianFlip@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 164d

Vlad the Paler

RockBottom@feddit.org · 9 pts · 165d

History on the side of China.

kittykillinit@lemy.lol · 9 pts · 164d (1 reply)

It's insane how poised China is to be the next global leader.

Idk why Americans are so stupid, but they get taken advantage of every day because of it.

lechekaflan@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 164d

The Mainlanders learned from elsewhere on how to get ahead no matter how, as the national goal is to make this century theirs by 2049.

thorhop@sopuli.xyz · 7 pts · 164d (1 reply)

Well yes, but he assumes the Trump administration has at least an iota of competence, when really they're the administrative equivalent of a monkey with an assault rifle.

EDIT: I've been contacted by the Monkeys With Assault Rifle Association (MWARA) and would like to issue a formal apology for this false equivalency, as it was an insult to their competency. They sure made a monkey out of Trump.

EDIT2: Again, I'd like to issue a formal apology...

partofthevoice@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 164d

Hello, my name is Mr.Captal. thorhop wont be around anymore, he has been conscripted to fight honorably in your leaders holy war. Please accept my apology on his behalf.

WanderWisley@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 165d (6 replies)

Based china. Crazy timeline we live in where china is the voice of reason.

Wataba@sh.itjust.works · 19 pts · 165d (3 replies)

Theyre just taking advantage of a golden opportunity for PR.

I don't believe its honest, given what goes on inside their own borders.

iglou@programming.dev · 3 pts · 164d

Although to be honest, do you know any government that is honest? It's all PR.

WanderWisley@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 164d

Agreed! Given the opportunity they WILL invade Taiwan.

kittykillinit@lemy.lol · 1 pts · 164d

Watching the West enter another Forever War for Israel is great for China.

liquidsht@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 164d

lol yeah while flying fighter jets above taiwan daily

clot27@lemmy.zip · -3 pts · 164d

Its pretty normal for anyone who isnt a wesern liberal🤷‍♂️

clot27@lemmy.zip · 6 pts · 165d

Truth. Based.

JoMiran@lemmy.ml · 6 pts · 165d

So does I

Aceticon@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 5 pts · 164d

A Zionist state should never have happened.

American electing a president which supports a Zionist state should never have happened.

This aggressive war is one link ina much larger chain of things which should never have happened, as is the next link, the war crimes already commited by the aggressor states.

DarkFuture@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 164d

America should have never elected a felon pedophile.

Professorozone@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 165d (2 replies)

It never would have happened if Trump were... Oh... Nevermind.

kittykillinit@lemy.lol · 1 pts · 164d (1 reply)

Democrats need to stop nominating the lesser evil if they truly want to stop the greater evil.

The problem is the ones who live in mini-mansions don't want to pay more in taxes, so they convince everyone under them that raising taxes is a bad idea.

Professorozone@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 164d

It's not like they have much choice. You look at the ballot and choose fascism or fascism light.

D_C@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 165d

Just about everything that tRUMP is even remotely connected to almost definitely shouldn't have happened.

humanspiral@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 165d (5 replies)

China has the power to end the war with ultimatums against US navy, if not Tel Aviv. Tolerating an illegal war "that should have never happened" is weakness or opportunism. US may be too depleted to prevent China focused annexations, and they may get reconstruction/development contracts with Iran.

The pure demonism of Israel to only want destruction of country, and perpetual assassinations of every leader is something that deserves a nuclear ultimatum for immediate ceasefire, and if not for IDF/people to exterminate their own rulership within a short number of days. The pretense of US strength is oppressive, and must be disillusioned instead of the "do nothing and win" slow advantage accumulation of China.

Buffalox@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 165d (4 replies)

We absolutely do NOT want to escalate it to a nuclear war, are you insane?

humanspiral@lemmy.ca · -2 pts · 165d (3 replies)

Israel would take the safe bet of ceasing their illegal war, or IDF/citizens could choose the extermination of their demonic rabid rulers. Perhaps Israelis devotion to genocide is not phased by the prospects of losing the game they initiated. US forces also get the freedom to leave, but sinking navies is allowed, and nuclear is just quick and easy. Nuclear weapons promised peace over demonic BS. If no one ever threatens world peace, then demonic crackheads will never stop.

Other than the very convenient fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan leading up to Iran war, would you prefer Chinese/Pakistan Air force operations to shoot down axis bombing jets? Blow up Gulf bases, and assassinate the pig fuckers that oppress their people and let US bases operate? Perhaps you just want to protect the pig fuckers with more time for destruction, or not allow other countries/people side against them?

For those with the power to stop wrong, saying something's wrong (as in Venezuela/Cuba/Caribbean fishing boat bombings) and not doing anything about it, hasn't stopped a bigger wrong the following week, because even when they say it is unacceptable, doing nothing is defacto acceptable.

Buffalox@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 164d (2 replies)

Wow you are doubling down on nuclear war! You really are insane. 🤮

humanspiral@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 164d (1 reply)

You're the one doubling down on permission for axis of demonism to be unopposed. I also provided options to draw out the war such that more innocent non-Israelis die and suffer. It's the threat of justice that makes people law abiding and civilized.

In my view, it is your defacto full throated support for demomic evil to reign unopposed that is insane.

Buffalox@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 164d

to be unopposed.

I absolutely have NEVER argued that it should be unopposed, what a giant straw man!
You seem delusional.

greenbit@lemmy.zip · 0 pts · 164d

So troubles in the shadow organization? China's handlers not on board with their prophecies? Nah, fake posturing

73ms@sopuli.xyz · -6 pts · 164d (4 replies)

It would never have happened if Kamala was the president and if it had she'd have ended it in 24 hours.

edit: looks like people have not been paying attention to Trump's comments and/or the far lefties feel personally attacked by this, lol

clot27@lemmy.zip · 6 pts · 164d (1 reply)

Larp larp

Kamala called iran to be americas greatest adversary Pledged to have most lethal fighting force Also supported israel openly

73ms@sopuli.xyz · 4 pts · 164d

Was mostly meming about the bs Trump has been spewing by using his words about Ukraine but yeah I'm fairly convinced she would have not started an illegal war against Iran together with Israel... or let Israel completely steamroll Gaza while making plans to transform it into a holiday resort for the rich.

Also, who cares if he called the US military lethal, that's in fact a true statement but it matters whether or not you use it to start illegal wars and settle personal grudges, rob other countries of their natural resources, kill civilians in the Caribbean or bomb schools with almost 200 little girls because the rules of engagement are "bold" etc.

BananaIsABerry@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 164d (1 reply)

The far left gets offended any time you suggest things would be better if trump wasn't president. Strange...

73ms@sopuli.xyz · 1 pts · 164d

Yeah, it's a consequence of pretending that there is no difference between the Democrats and Republicans and ending up helping Trump get in power.