China has released its 141-page 15th Five-Year Plan, presented at the National People’s Congress on March 5, outlining an ambitious strategy to dominate next-generation technologies, raw materials, and industries. The plan positions artificial intelligence (AI) as a central pillar across the economy, with goals to double humanoid robotics production within five years, accelerate quantum communication and nuclear fusion research, and advance brain-computer interface technologies. It also projects AI-related industries to exceed 10 trillion yuan in value during the plan’s term.

Analyst Shanaka Anselm Perera described the plan as a national technological mobilization rather than a mere economic policy, calling it a “war plan” that contrasts with the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. While Washington focuses mainly on semiconductor production, Beijing’s approach spans AI integration across heavy industry and services, investment in quantum computing, and control over critical raw materials, especially rare earth elements.

The plan strengthens China’s grip on rare mineral processing and export controls, potentially challenging U.S. defense supply chains that depend on these materials for systems like the F-35 fighter jet. Analysts warn this could reshape future power dynamics long before any battlefield confrontation.

Passenger train operations between China and North Korea are set to resume on Thursday, ending a suspension that began in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel operators confirmed the restart based on information from official ticket offices in Beijing and Dandong. Initially, the service will be available only to Chinese citizens working or studying in North Korea, as well as those traveling for employment, education, or family visits. Tourist ticket sales will remain closed for now.

Rowan Beard, tour manager at Europe-based Young Pioneer Tours, told AFP that the resumption of international train service is a positive development. Although the initial phase excludes tourists, he noted that the route could serve as an alternative to air travel once tourism to North Korea reopens.

The two countries had completely sealed their borders in 2020 due to the pandemic. Last year, North Korea and Russia resumed direct flights and train services, allowing limited cross-border movement between them.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gulf region following separate phone conversations with the foreign ministers of Bahrain and Kuwait, according to Al Jazeera. The discussions took place as regional tensions continued to escalate.

A statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wang Yi expressed deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating situation during his conversation with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. He affirmed that China is ready to play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability. In a separate call with Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Wang reiterated the need to implement a ceasefire as soon as possible.

Wang Yi also emphasized that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Gulf countries must be respected, underscoring China’s position on preserving stability in the region.

Beijing announced on Monday that China’s special envoy has called for reducing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The envoy made the appeal during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, urging all sides to stop military operations immediately and to avoid further escalation that could harm regional populations. He also condemned attacks on civilians and non-military targets, emphasizing the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Gulf nations.

The conflict began after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, posing threats to global energy security and trade, and putting China’s oil supply at risk. Although Beijing maintains close ties with Tehran and condemned the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, it also criticized Iran’s attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. In a separate meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Secretary-General Jassem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, the envoy urged a return to dialogue.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated the call to end the fighting, stating that the war should never have happened.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that the ongoing joint attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran 'should never have happened.' Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, he called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged all parties to return to the negotiating table.

Wang emphasized that the use of force will never resolve the current crisis, warning that 'a strong fist does not mean a strong argument' and that the world cannot revert to the law of the jungle. He also expressed his belief that there is no public support for regime change in Iran.

The remarks come amid escalating violence in the region, including reports of severe Israeli strikes in Tehran and Lebanon, as well as regional disruptions such as flight suspensions by Oman Air.

China is reportedly preparing to provide financial and military assistance to Iran as the country continues its war against the United States and Israel, according to a CNN report citing US intelligence sources. Neither China nor Iran has commented on the matter. The intelligence suggests Beijing may supply Iran with financial support, spare parts, and missile components, though China has not directly entered the conflict.

The report also indicates that China, heavily dependent on Iranian oil, is expected to pressure Tehran to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. A source told CNN that China remains cautious about its support, seeking an end to the war to protect its energy supply. Earlier, US media reported that Russia was providing Iran with intelligence support in the same conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declined to clarify whether Tehran was receiving military aid from China or Russia, saying only that both countries were offering political and other forms of assistance. The conflict escalated after a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28 killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

China has voiced concern over the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, condemning recent attacks and calling for a ceasefire. Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized the United States and Israel for their actions in Iran, particularly the killing of a sovereign nation's leader. Despite its diplomatic stance, analysts note that China has remained largely a spectator in recent crises, including U.S. actions in Venezuela and Iran, revealing limits to its ability to assist allied nations.

Experts from the Royal United Services Institute and SOAS China Institute observed that while China seeks to present itself as a counterbalance to U.S. power, it lacks the military capacity to protect its partners. They added that President Xi Jinping may attempt to project himself as a stable global leader in contrast to U.S. President Donald Trump. Analysts also warned that disruptions to energy supplies and air travel could disproportionately affect developing nations, potentially leading to food shortages in the coming months.

China has initiated diplomatic outreach, with Wang Yi speaking to his counterparts in Oman and France and announcing plans to send a special envoy to the Middle East.

China is closely monitoring the escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, as the Middle East turmoil begins to affect its strategic and economic calculations. Although Beijing currently holds sufficient oil reserves for several months and could seek support from Russia if needed, officials are assessing the long-term consequences for China’s investments and energy security. The issue has surfaced during a major Communist Party meeting in Beijing, where delegates are already grappling with domestic economic challenges, including property market distress and high local debt.

China’s ties with Iran, while often described as close, remain largely transactional. Despite a 25-year strategic partnership agreement signed in 2021, only a fraction of the pledged $400 billion investment has materialized, though oil flows from Iran to China continue. Analysts note that China’s ability to assist partners like Iran is limited, as seen in its restrained response to recent U.S. actions in Venezuela and Iran.

Beijing has condemned the attacks and called for a ceasefire, while preparing for U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit. The meeting could clarify Washington’s stance on sensitive issues such as Taiwan and regional stability.

China has reportedly instructed its major oil refineries to temporarily suspend exports of diesel and petrol due to supply disruptions caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East, according to a Bloomberg News report published Thursday citing unnamed sources. The directive was said to have been delivered verbally by officials from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) during a meeting with refinery representatives and was to take effect immediately.

The report noted that China, a net importer of crude oil, relies heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for energy shipments, which are currently halted. Last year, 57 percent of China’s seaborne crude imports came from the Middle East, according to data from analytics firm Kpler. Refineries were also told not to sign new export contracts and to negotiate cancellations of finalized shipments. When asked about the matter, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said they were unaware of such a decision.

Bloomberg identified PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC, Sinochem Group, and Zhejiang Petrochemical as regular fuel exporters contacted by AFP, though none commented on the reported suspension.

China has announced a 7 percent increase in its 2026 defense budget to accelerate military modernization. The announcement came on March 5 during the opening of the annual parliamentary session, where Premier Li Qiang said the country would strengthen war preparedness and enhance advanced military capabilities. Although this is the smallest increase in five years, it remains higher than most Asian nations’ defense growth rates.

Li Qiang stated that the measures aim to boost China’s strategic capacity to safeguard sovereignty, security, and development interests. The modernization plan includes developing new missiles, warships, submarines, and surveillance technologies, with a goal to fully modernize the armed forces by 2035. Analysts noted that China’s defense spending typically aligns with GDP growth and inflation. Beijing has also intensified anti-corruption efforts within the military, investigating senior generals such as Zhang Youxia and He Weidong.

Taiwan expressed concern that China’s large defense allocation amid weak economic conditions poses a threat, while Japan criticized the lack of transparency. A report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies said China accounted for 44 percent of Asia’s total defense spending in 2025, up from an average of 37 percent between 2010 and 2020.

China has expressed strong condemnation of the joint Israel–United States attack on Iran but is prioritizing its own strategic and energy interests over direct military support for Tehran. Analysts cited in the report say Beijing is unlikely to risk confrontation with Washington despite disruptions to oil imports. The conflict has raised fears of a global energy crisis, especially as shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz faces interruptions.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed full control of the waterway and continued missile and drone strikes across the Persian Gulf. China, heavily dependent on imported oil, has built large strategic reserves estimated at 1.2 billion barrels, enough to cover about 115 days of seaborne imports. Experts believe this stockpile will help China weather short-term supply shocks while focusing on upcoming diplomatic engagements, including a planned summit between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump on March 31.

Analysts add that Beijing views Iran as a strategic partner rather than a military ally and remains cautious about any action that could escalate tensions with the United States. The situation may benefit Russia as an alternative oil supplier if Middle Eastern flows are disrupted.

China has called on all parties involved in the Middle East conflict to maintain security in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas transport. The appeal came after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced the closure of the strait on Saturday, prompting several international shipping companies to suspend operations in the area. During a regular press briefing on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged an immediate halt to military actions and warned against further escalation that could harm the global economy.

Mao emphasized that energy security is crucial for global economic stability and stated that China would take necessary measures to safeguard its own energy supply. The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly one-fourth of the world’s seaborne oil shipments, along with significant volumes of other goods. China is a major buyer of Iranian oil, most of which passes through this strategic waterway.

The statement underscores Beijing’s concern over potential disruptions to global energy flows and its commitment to protecting its national energy interests.

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched military actions against two of China’s close allies within two months, threatening Beijing’s vital oil supply routes. In January, the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and on Saturday, an airstrike killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Both Venezuela and Iran export most of their crude oil to China, accounting for about 15 percent of China’s total oil imports, according to analytics firm Kpler.

Rob Thummel, portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital, said China could be the main economic casualty of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, as it produces less oil than it consumes. He warned that while high prices could slow growth, actual supply disruptions pose a greater threat to China’s economy, which depends heavily on imported oil.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned the U.S.-Israeli aggression as unacceptable and denounced Washington’s role in Khamenei’s killing, though he avoided discussing the potential economic fallout. Tehran has announced the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and an oil tanker was attacked while violating sanctions, causing global oil prices to rise.

China has expressed firm support for Iran’s sovereignty and security as conflict spreads across the Middle East. According to state broadcaster CCTV, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed Beijing’s stance in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, emphasizing the historic friendship between the two nations. Wang said China fully supports Iran’s sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and national dignity, and will stand by Tehran to protect its legitimate rights and interests.

Wang Yi urged the United States and Israel to immediately halt their military operations, warning against further escalation and regional spillover. In a separate call with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, Wang accused Washington and Tel Aviv of violating the UN Charter and deliberately provoking conflict against Iran. He added that China is ready to play a constructive role through the UN Security Council to promote justice and end the war.

During another conversation with France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, Wang voiced concern over global instability, warning that the world risks returning to a “law of the jungle.” He stressed that Iran’s nuclear issue must be resolved politically and diplomatically, not through military means.

China has issued a strong condemnation following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. The Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement on Sunday denouncing the assault and urging all parties to exercise restraint and immediately halt military operations.

In its statement, China described the US-Israel military action as a serious violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, as well as a breach of the principles of the United Nations Charter and the basic norms of international relations. The ministry’s remarks reflect Beijing’s opposition to unilateral military actions that undermine regional stability.

The statement underscores China’s call for de-escalation and adherence to international law amid rising tensions following the attack.