BEIJING (Realist English). China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the war in the Middle East “should never have happened,” warning against regime change in Iran while signaling a more cautious tone toward the United States ahead of an expected visit by US President Donald Trump.
Speaking on Sunday on the sidelines of China’s annual parliamentary meetings, known as the “Two Sessions,” Wang said attempts to reshape governments by force would not gain popular support.
“A strong fist does not mean strong reason. The world cannot return to the law of the jungle,” he said.
Despite criticizing the escalation of military action against Iran, Wang notably avoided directly condemning Washington. Instead, he emphasized that China seeks stable relations with the United States based on “mutual respect.”
Wang described recent contacts between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping as encouraging and said 2026 would be a “significant year” for relations between the two countries.
According to the White House, Trump is expected to visit China between March 31 and April 2, marking the first trip by a US president to the country since Trump’s previous visit in 2017. Trade negotiations are expected to dominate the agenda.
Both governments appear to be attempting to maintain a stable diplomatic environment ahead of the meeting, despite several geopolitical crises that have strained relations in recent months.
Earlier this year, the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro shortly after he met with a Chinese delegation, while US-Israeli military strikes against Iran — another key Chinese partner — triggered a regional war that has disrupted energy markets and trade routes.
Venezuela and Iran are important oil suppliers for China and part of Beijing’s broader network of political and economic partners across the developing world.
Although Beijing criticized US operations in both countries, Chinese officials have so far avoided directly confronting the Trump administration or reconsidering plans for the upcoming summit.
Analysts say China likely sees the meeting as an opportunity to address a wide range of strategic issues directly with the US president, including trade tensions, the Taiwan question and the global impact of current conflicts.
“A face-to-face meeting allows Beijing to better understand Trump’s position and present China’s views more clearly,” said William Yang, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group.
During the same press appearance, Wang also delivered strong remarks on Taiwan, reiterating Beijing’s claim that the self-governed island is part of China.
“Reunification is a historical process that cannot be stopped,” he said, warning that those who oppose it would face consequences.
Wang also criticized Japan following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting that an attack on Taiwan could lead to the deployment of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.
The Chinese foreign minister said Tokyo risked undermining its postwar pacifist constitution and warned that memories of Japan’s wartime expansion still shape regional perceptions.
“People in China and across Asia cannot help but watch with vigilance where Japan is heading,” Wang said.
