The military conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran has entered its third week, with the situation remaining complex and tense. Without authorization from the UN Security Council, the US and Israel launched attacks and killed Iran's supreme leader, deliberately provoking a war against Iran. China is not a party to this conflict. However, some Western narratives have seized the opportunity to fabricate claims aimed at discrediting China. These narratives broadly fall into three categories: the so-called "China failure" narrative, the "China responsibility" narrative, and the "China winner" narrative. Such absurd claims are driven by ulterior motives and thinly veiled political self-interest.

The so-called "China failure" narrative hypes that China's strategy of turning Iran into a key regional pillar is on the verge of collapse. The facts are clear: China has never been involved in this conflict, nor has it bet on any side. The conflict is the result of unilateral military actions by the US and Israel and has nothing to do with China's diplomatic or economic strategies. China has actively expanded exchanges and cooperation with various countries including the Middle Eastern states based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. It does not engage in military alliances, bloc confrontation, or proxy wars. Its influence in the Middle East is built on deep and extensive cooperation, which gives it resilience even amid conflict. Where, then, is the so-called "strategic failure"? 

Such claims merely reflect a power-politics mind-set obsessed with staking out spheres of influence, one that fails to understand the values of peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit in China's foreign policy.

The so-called "China responsibility" narrative is advanced by some Western media outlets on the grounds that "China maintains close ties with Iran," arguing that China should bear responsibility for the conflict, or urging it to take sides, impose sanctions, or restrain Iran. It must be emphasized that both China and Iran are sovereign states, and their exchanges and cooperation comply with international law and are not directed at any third party. Should not those who initiated the war bear responsibility for the conflict itself and for the harm inflicted on the people of countries affected by it?

In fact, China has never stood idly by in the face of this war. From March 1 to 12, the Chinese side held phone calls with the foreign ministers of 12 countries and dispatched its special envoy to the region to conduct shuttle diplomacy. At the UN Security Council, China explicitly called for respect for the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Iran and other countries in the region. Such concrete actions - speaking up for justice, working for peace, and upholding fairness - have won recognition from regional countries. During phone calls with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Qatari prime minister and Omani foreign minister both expressed their expectation that China would play a greater role in promoting a ceasefire and ending the hostilities. After the Red Cross Society of China announced $200,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance for Iranian victims of an elementary school attack, China further announced on March 17 that it would offer emergency humanitarian assistance to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. China's actions and sense of responsibility are a vivid embodiment of its commitment to the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, as well as to internationalism and humanitarianism.

Regarding the situation in Iran, there is also a puzzling "China winner" narrative suggesting that while the US is mired in war, China somehow "benefits" from it. In today's globalized economy, however, this conflict has a significant impact on global economic operations. Whether it is rising international energy prices, disruptions to key shipping routes, or volatility in global financial markets, all of these factors inevitably affect economies along global industrial and supply chains. Aside from the Western military-industrial complex profiting from arms sales, there are no winners in this war. Such narratives are nothing more than attempts to drive a wedge between relevant countries and China, shifting attention and deflecting responsibility for the energy crisis triggered by US and Israeli actions by artificially praising China.

It is clear to any discerning observer that behind these narratives lies a familiar tactic used by some Western media outlets - shifting blame. They seek to provide discursive legitimacy for US and Israeli military actions while suppressing and containing international efforts for peace and justice to alleviate the situation in the Middle East. In short, narratives that seek to smear China by exploiting the US-Israel-Iran conflict should stop.

The Middle East belongs to the people of the Middle East; it is not an arena for major power rivalry. China's position on this conflict has always been clear: Issues in the Middle East should be resolved independently by regional countries; external interference will only exacerbate instability, and the red line of protecting civilians in armed conflict must not be crossed. 

China will continue to work with the international community to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, and to contribute its efforts toward promoting a ceasefire and achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.