China has largely succeeded in maintaining positive relations with both Tehran and Jerusalem, serving as a crucial trade partner for Israel while also having strategic ties with Iran.
One of the most critical issues overshadowing the recent Israel-US conflict against Iran and the future of the standoff between these nations has less to do with them directly, and more with another major power: China.
China has managed to sustain largely positive relations with both Tehran and Jerusalem. Economically, China has been an important trade partner for both countries.
Trade with Israel in 2024 was estimated to be worth $22 billion-$24 billion, and projected to reach about $27 billion in 2025, positioning Beijing as one of Israel’s largest trade partners.
Chinese airlines were among the few carriers that continued flights to Israel during periods of recent years’ conflicts. Most other foreign airlines had canceled their flights much earlier.
Furthermore, both countries share a genuine and substantial respect for each other’s long-standing ancient histories and cultures.
The dispute between Jerusalem and Beijing regarding Iran, however, has at times significantly strained these relations.
The Jerusalem Post, over the years and more recently, has interviewed numerous Israeli, Chinese, and American officials about the situation to better understand the positions of the various parties.
The Jerusalem Post, over the years and more recently, has engaged with numerous Israeli, Chinese, and American officials to gain a clearer understanding of the sides’ stances on the contentious issues within the dispute.
While differing views exist on other matters, such as Gaza, the primary focus here is on disputes concerning Iran, specifically regarding ballistic missiles, air defenses, spy satellites, and, indirectly, allegations that Israel has supplied air-defense technologies to Taiwan.
Initially, it can be stated that China and Israel are aligned in their opposition to Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon. Beyond this, however, the parties diverge on other aspects concerning Iran.
Even concerning the nuclear issue, China has opposed Israel’s use of force to prevent Iran’s potential progress towards a weapon, instead advocating for diplomatic solutions.
Other disagreements encompass both strategic and tactical issues. For instance, the US has deepened its military ties with Israel more than ever, launching the recent joint operation against the Islamic regime.
China not only opposes the conflict but also finds satisfaction if and when Washington becomes entangled in a quagmire, which would divert its resources, energy, and attention from other geopolitical concerns.
In some instances, China has directly benefited from US President Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict and the surrounding diplomacy by moving to establish closer ties with countries that might otherwise be staunch US allies.
However, these issues are, in some respects, more a matter between Beijing and Washington, with Israel being indirectly affected.
The core Israel-China-Iran issues begin with air defense.
China does not explicitly confirm selling air-defense systems to Iran, but maintains that it has the right to sell such items to Tehran, given their defensive purpose.
Interestingly, China also criticizes Israel for allegedly providing air-defense technology to Taiwan.
According to numerous foreign reports, Taiwan’s TDOME and other air-defense projects undertaken by Taipei have quietly received Israeli assistance.
Israel has not publicly commented on these allegations. Rafael, the Israeli developer of Iron Dome, had not commented on the issue as of press time, but the lack of a clear denial in this sensitive matter suggests there might be some truth to the claims.
When questioned about the possibility of an exchange where Israel ceases assisting Taiwanese air defense in return for China stopping its help with Iranian air defense, The Post understands that China would reject such an equivalency.
Instead, China believes it has the right to sell defensive items to Iran, but that Israel cannot sell such items to Taiwan, as it views Taipei as an integral part of its own country and sovereignty.
Furthermore, there are allegations that in 2024, China sold a spy satellite to Iran, which Tehran reportedly used against the US during the recent conflict.
Iran had secretly acquired the Chinese spy satellite in late 2024, enabling it to target US military bases across the Middle East, as reported by the Financial Times in mid-April. Beijing has dismissed these claims as untrue.
The TEE-01B satellite, built and launched by the Chinese company Earth Eye Co., was acquired by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force after Beijing had already launched it into space, the report stated, citing leaked Iranian military documents.
Iranian military commanders directed the satellite to monitor major US military sites, the Financial Times reported, citing time-stamped coordinate lists, satellite imagery, and orbital analysis. The images were reportedly taken in March, both before and after drone and missile strikes on those locations.
As part of the deal, the IRGC reportedly gained access to commercial ground stations operated by Emposat, a Beijing-based provider of satellite control and data services with a network spanning across Asia, Latin America, and other regions.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the report was untrue.
“Recently, some forces have been keen on fabricating rumors and maliciously associating them with China,” it stated at the time. “China firmly opposes this kind of practice driven by ulterior motives.”
While China officially denies any offensive assistance to Iran concerning the satellite in question, The Post understands that Beijing believes it is not prohibited from selling commercial satellites to Iran.
In fact, many countries engage in the buying and selling of commercial satellites, which could potentially serve dual-use commercial and spying purposes.
While these other issues are significant for both the US and Israel, they are overshadowed by the question of whether China has provided, and may continue to provide, materials for producing solid fuel for Iran’s long-range ballistic missiles.
China vehemently denies any direct assistance to Iran for offensive purposes.
The Post understands, however, that China would not deny its belief in having the right to ship dual-use items, such as fuel, to Iran, even if the other side might attempt to “cheat” on the terms of sale and secretly divert the fuel towards offensive missiles.
Furthermore, The Post understands that China would not implement invasive supervision to physically guarantee that the fuel is never used by Iran for ballistic missiles.
Why is this final issue so crucial? Top Israeli defense officials have stated that Iran’s ballistic missile supply has been reduced from a pre-war total of 2,500 to between several hundred and 1,000 post-war.
During the conflict, Israel and the US bombed approximately 2,600 targets within Iran’s military-industrial complex, many of which were related to the ballistic missile industry, according to these same officials.
In other words, not only has Iran’s existing ballistic missile supply been damaged, but so has its capacity to manufacture these missiles.
Iran cannot replenish its missiles independently.
Last June, Israel bombed approximately 100 targets related to ballistic missiles and Iran’s military-industrial complex. The damage inflicted on Iran this time was about 26 times greater, including to supply-chain materials that Tehran requires for missile construction, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The damage is so severe that without substantial external assistance, it would take Iran two years or more to rebuild its missile apparatus to the pre-war level of 2,500 missiles, senior Israeli defense officials have informed The Post.
More specifically, these officials expressed concern that Chinese assistance on the ballistic missile issue, such as with dual-use fuel, could unpredictably accelerate Iran’s recovery process.
If this were to occur, one of Israel’s central achievements of the war – postponing the ballistic missile threat for years – could be jeopardized.
China has rejected all allegations of assisting with offensive weapons. It has also accused those making such allegations of having improper agendas, such as seeking to destabilize current talks aimed at ending the conflict.
Mossad Director David Barnea reportedly stated that China and Russia must think “10 times” about helping Iran. Nevertheless, Israeli defense officials remain highly concerned about the issue.
At the same time, even if China disappoints Israel on this matter, as it has with its support for Iran’s economy during sanctions battles, Jerusalem is likely to continue pursuing the best possible relations with Beijing, given China’s status as one of the two major superpowers.
In response to this report, the Chinese Embassy in Israel stated:
“Regarding arms sales and non-proliferation, China consistently adheres to international law and its international obligations in international affairs. It does not provide arms to regions in conflict or to parties engaged in hostilities.
“Regarding the Taiwan question, there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The one-China principle has become a prevailing international consensus and a basic norm of international relations. A total of 183 countries worldwide, including Israel, have already established and developed diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. China firmly opposes other countries providing air defense technologies or any other weapons to the Taiwan region. China appreciates that the Israeli government continues to adhere to the one-China policy and believes that the Israeli government will not do anything that undermines China’s core interests.
“Regarding the report that ‘Iran used Chinese spy satellites to target US military bases in the Middle East,’ it is entirely fabricated. China firmly rejects the politicization of normal economic and trade cooperation and the circulation of speculative, misleading, and false information targeting China.
“Regarding the Middle East situation, China maintains friendly relations with all countries in the Middle East and adheres to the principle of upholding justice over affinity. It does not take sides or play one against another. China consistently believes that Israel’s right to exist and its legitimate security concerns should be fully respected, and that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of all countries in the region must also be respected.
“In light of the current situation, President Xi Jinping put forward a four-point proposition on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East: remaining committed to the principle of peaceful coexistence, the principle of national sovereignty, the principle of international rule of law, and a balanced approach to development and security. This proposition reflects China’s consistent position and active efforts to promote ceasefire and peace, and advocate dialogue in resolving differences. China stands ready to continue working with the international community to contribute to the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East.
“Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, China has consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and negotiation, and opposes the use of force and illegal sanctions. All parties should fully respect Iran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy as a State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and Iran should continue to honor its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons.”
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