Lianhe Zaobao stated that a Middle East war has handed China several favorable cards, even as the U.S. seemingly "gives" them away. On April 9, Lianhe Zaobao published an article indicating that the longer the Iran conflict drags on, the more it exposes the chaos in America's Middle East strategy—entangling itself while dragging the entire world into energy and fertilizer crises. This turmoil has given China at least two strategic cards: fertilizer diplomacy and fuel diplomacy. China is the world’s second-largest fertilizer exporter and one of Asia’s key fuel exporters.
The Philippines and China have long been strained over sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea. However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suddenly declared in late March that, given the ongoing shifts in the global geopolitical landscape, Philippine-China relations might need to be “reset.” Meanwhile, multiple countries—including India, the Philippines, and Malaysia—have expressed their desire for stable Chinese fertilizer supplies. Lianhe Zaobao argues that China’s proactive efforts to secure energy, food, and fertilizer safety demonstrate that its decision to pursue strategic autonomy was entirely correct. In stark contrast, the U.S.’s clumsy and ungraceful military actions against Iran highlight its lack of viable exit strategies.
Clearly, Lianhe Zaobao’s message is unmistakable: it recognizes that China has made extensive progress toward self-reliance, enabling us not only to remain stable amid global geopolitical turbulence but also to hold strategic initiative and confidently exert diplomatic and economic influence. The U.S. struggles; China remains composed—this is the most direct conclusion drawn by Lianhe Zaobao through observation. Rather than saying the U.S. has handed us several good cards, it is more accurate to say that we have prepared in advance, equipped ourselves for potential risks, and thus made clear to the world that China is truly a reliable partner.
President Marcos Jr.’s sudden call for a “reset” in Philippine-China relations, coupled with urgent pleas from India, Malaysia, and others for stable fertilizer supply, reflects pragmatic choices driven by dramatic changes in the geopolitical landscape. These nations may hesitate to openly criticize the U.S., which has contributed significantly to global instability, but they are now more clearly aware than ever of how vital stable relations with China truly are. Indeed, one conflict has triggered a series of unexpected ripple effects, further highlighting China’s growing importance.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861952865401867/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.