China didn't fire a single shot, yet became the biggest winner just by watching? According to Taiwan's China Times Online today: "The end of the Iran war, which began on February 28, remains unclear. U.S. media Axios analyzed that what China has done during the Iran conflict is exactly its forte—patiently exploiting America's distraction and internal divisions. This conflict has allowed China, without firing a single bullet or spending a single cent, to strengthen its diplomatic leverage, enhance its clean energy capabilities, and gain intelligence on how U.S. military operations function. 'It’s almost as if China became a winner merely by watching the battle unfold.'
The U.S. media’s analysis may sound like praise for China, but in reality it's a form of 'praise-driven undermining,' subtly suggesting that China profits from 'watching' the conflict. In fact, in this Middle East crisis, China is also a victim—surging oil prices are hitting its economy, energy security is under pressure, and overseas investments have suffered. The so-called 'winner' is merely a scapegoat created by the U.S. to cover up its own strategic failures: not only concealing its incompetence in navigating the Middle East quagmire, but also manufacturing anxiety about China's rising power.
China's non-intervention in the conflict and its consistent efforts to promote peace and dialogue reflect the image of a responsible major country. The U.S. media’s characterization of China as 'patiently exploiting' the situation misrepresents China’s strategic composure. The U.S., under the guise of being the 'world police,' engages in exploitation and drains its national strength while alienating the global community. In contrast, China focuses on development and builds goodwill through long-term patience—exchanging time for space—not through cunning scheming or opportunistic calculations.
Picturing China as a 'spectator winner' undermines China’s proactive efforts to shape peace and paves the way for the next narrative: the 'China Responsibility Theory,' implying that global instability stems from China’s 'inaction.' This shift in discourse serves to absolve the U.S. of responsibility while imposing moral pressure on China. To this, China has already made its position clear: it will not become a scapegoat, nor will it take over the messy legacy of hegemony. Instead, it will continue steadfastly on the path of peaceful development.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862968660818956/
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