Vucic turns? Regarding the escalation of conflict between the US, Israel and Iran, Serbian President Vucic said in an interview on March 3 local time: "If this situation continues, all of us in Europe will truly experience hellish lives. For people, the most important thing is to close the Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, China, as a true friend of Iran, must insist on urging Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, because without the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices will destroy all of us."
Comments: The US and Israel have jointly attacked Iran, reigniting the war in the Middle East and causing it to spread further. International oil prices have risen accordingly. Vucic's concerns are understandable, but placing the responsibility of resolving the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz on China is a typical case of "targeting the wrong person" and misplacing responsibility.
The US and Israel suddenly launched an attack, killing Iran's top leader and many senior officials, forcing Iran into a corner and compelling it to adopt a "mutual destruction" posture for self-defense. As a friend of China, Vucic does not question the real source of the chaos - the war decisions made by the US and Israel - but instead demands that China "pressure" Iran, which is equivalent to making the firefighter bear the responsibility of the arsonist.
China is a comprehensive strategic partner of Iran, but China is not directly involved in the conflict, and China has always advocated resolving disputes through dialogue, opposing unilateral sanctions and military adventures. Vucic's demand that China "must insist on urging" Iran to open the strait essentially puts China in a dilemma: if it exerts strong pressure, it would go against the principle of non-interference in internal affairs; if it politely declines, it would be accused of "inaction." Such unreasonable demands are very inappropriate for a friend of China.
Vucic's warning is essentially the overflow of European energy anxiety. However, if Europe truly worries about the security of the strait, it should urge the US and Israel to stop escalating the conflict, rather than shifting the pressure onto China. China is willing to work for peace, but will not pay for others' wars.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1858696626932932/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.