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At the crux of China’s concern lie its substantial economic ties with Iran, primarily revolving around energy needs. The partnership established in 2021, worth $400 billion, secured China's access to discounted Iranian oil, an essential requirement for powering its vast manufacturing industry and military endeavors.
Chappell elaborates that Iran is now China's largest oil supplier, with Chinese refineries absorbing a staggering 77% of Iran's oil exports. Given this economic interdependence, the instability caused by Israeli bombings poses a direct threat to China's energy security, which is critical for its ongoing economic activities and most notably its military capability.