Backing for Iran is part of China’s delicate Middle East balancing act, say analysts
Beijing is supporting Tehran’s bid for formal membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at Astana summit
China’s decision to throw its weight behind Iran’s bid to join a Beijing-backed security grouping is a reflection of its long game of pursuing a balanced Middle East policy, say analysts.
Iran’s application to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation will be discussed at this year’s two-day summit which began on Thursday in the Kazakhstan capital, Astana. Chinese President Xi Jinping is attending the meeting.
The summit comes at an awkward time, after several Gulf nations, led by Saudi Arabia, on Monday cut diplomatic ties with their neighbour, Qatar, saying it supported “Iranian-backed terrorist groups”.
The move by Saudi Arabia to sever ties with Qatar came after US President Donald Trump’s call to isolate Tehran. And as pressure mounts from the United States, some observers believe Iran will pivot towards China.