Chinese State Media Criticizes US Airstrikes on Iran: "International Community Must Oppose the Law of the Jungle"

"National Security Must Not Rely on External Forces"

On March 2, Chinese state media strongly criticized the US and Israel’s airstrikes on Iran, urging that the world must resist the logic of the law of the jungle. The outlets also warned that the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions to energy supply could escalate the conflict into a global economic and security crisis.

Foreigners Watching TV Broadcasts of US and Israel Attacks on Iran. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In an editorial published that day, Global Times, an affiliate of the Chinese Communist Party’s official People’s Daily, stated, “This attack took place while negotiations between the US and Iran were ongoing,” and criticized, “The US and Israel have openly assassinated the leader of a sovereign state, incited regime change, and boasted about these actions as if they were achievements.” The editorial further emphasized, “Many Iranian civilians were killed or injured in the attack. With Dubai Airport suspending operations and the Strait of Hormuz being blocked, the global energy supply and maritime shipping networks have also been thrown into uncertainty.”

The newspaper called for an immediate halt to military actions and urged all parties to prevent further escalation of the conflict and stop the situation from spiraling out of control. It stated, “If the logic of the law of the jungle takes root and the principle of survival of the fittest is condoned, this will not be limited to a regional disaster,” adding, “The international community must raise a clear and resolute voice in opposition to any regression toward the law of the jungle.”

The social media account “Newtanqin,” operated by Xinhua News Agency, also commented on the current situation and pointed out the realities of international politics. Newtanqin argued, “In modern warfare, air superiority and advanced weaponry determine victory or defeat, and it is difficult to safeguard national security based solely on moral justification.” It further emphasized, “A nation’s security cannot rely on external forces and ultimately depends on its own strength.”

Additionally, the outlet indirectly criticized the United States by quoting passages from the military treatise of Sima Yangzhe of the Qi state in ancient China: “No matter how great a country is, if it is fond of war, it will inevitably perish (國家雖大 好戰必亡),” and “Even if the world is at peace, forgetting to prepare for war brings danger (天下雖安 忘戰必危).”

This implies that “no matter how powerful a country is, frequently waging war will lead to peril, and even in times of peace, failing to prepare for war incurs risk.” The message is interpreted as both a criticism of the US use of force and an emphasis on the necessity of self-strengthening.

Jin Liangxiang, Director of the Middle East Studies Center at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, warned in a column for Guangming Daily that “international disputes must be resolved through political and diplomatic means,” and cautioned that “if coercive policies persist, the Middle East could once again face catastrophic instability.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.