Why the US-Israel War with Iran Has Been Bad News for China Too | The Global Story

Fri, 08 May 2026 10:23:21 +0000

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As the US-Israel war with Iran reaches a diplomatic stalemate - one idea seems to be taking hold: that China is the real winner.

Some have argued that the US’s biggest rival is quietly boosting its international standing, leverage and reputation as a reliable partner.

Yet beneath the surface the economic situation in China looks far less triumphant.

We speak to the BBC China Correspondent Laura Bicker who has been reporting from inside China’s factories and trading hubs to explore whether the potential political gains China may be accruing from the Iran war are being offset by the acute economic cost - and what this means for China’s long-term geopolitical ambitions.

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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:39 Is China an ally of Iran?
03:51 'The Axis of upheaval'
05:31 Is the US-Israel war with Iran an opportunity for China?
09:31 China's reliance on exports
12:30 The world's largest trade fair
18:12 What do Chinese people think about Donald Trump?
19:56 Has the Iran war been bad news for China?
21:40 What will happen when Donald Trump visits China?