Beijing is unlikely to abandon ‘balanced diplomacy’ in the region despite killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, analysts say
3-MIN READ3-MINCao Jiaxuanin BeijingPublished: 11:00pm, 3 Mar 2026China is expected to rebalance its ties with Israel as US-Israeli air strikes on Iran reshape the region’s security landscape, but analysts say it is unlikely to abandon its long-standing “balanced diplomacy” in the Middle East.The strikes began on Saturday after nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran reached a stalemate and tensions spiralled. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 86-year-old cleric who had dominated the Islamic Republic’s political system for nearly four decades, was killed in the attacks.
Tehran subsequently launched retaliatory strikes against Israeli targets, US bases and facilities in Gulf states.
For China, the upheaval presents diplomatic risk and demands strategic calculation.
Chen Guangmeng, executive dean of the Academy of International and Regional Studies at Sichuan International Studies University, said China would not – and did not need to – abandon its long-standing “balanced diplomacy” in the Middle East, but must pursue a “strategic rebalancing” to adapt to the shock waves created by US-Israeli military action.
