The Four Respects: China and Iran’s Vision for Middle East

The meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Beijing on December 28, 2024, brought renewed attention to Beijing’s approach to Middle Eastern affairs. Central to the discussions was Wang’s articulation of the “Four Respects,” a framework that emphasizes sovereignty, independence, and cultural integrity for Middle Eastern states. Delivered against the backdrop of rising regional tensions and shifting global power dynamics, this message highlights the symbolic and strategic dimensions of the China-Iran partnership.

Wang underscored that the Middle East belongs to its people and should not be subject to significant power struggles or external interference. He called for an end to hostilities, the resolution of humanitarian crises, and pursuing political solutions through dialogue and negotiation. China, he affirmed, is committed to supporting Middle Eastern countries in their quest for sovereignty, stability, and independence from external pressures.

China’s Four Respects: A Framework for Regional Stability

At the core of Wang’s message are the “Four Respects,” a set of principles that reflect Beijing’s narrative of non-interference and multilateralism. These include respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Middle Eastern countries, respect for their legitimate concerns, respect for the independent choices of their people, and respect for their historical and cultural traditions. Framed as a constructive alternative to Western interventionism, the “Four Respects” present China as a partner that prioritizes dialogue over dominance.

This framework resonates with China’s broader global strategy and positions Beijing as a stabilizing force in a region long fraught with external interventions. In particular, it serves as a rebuttal to U.S. policies in the Middle East, which Beijing often critiques as being overly coercive and focused on unilateral dominance through sanctions, military presence, and power projection. By presenting itself as an alternative to Washington’s influence, China seeks to appeal to Middle Eastern nations that are weary of external interference.

Iran’s Role in the Vision of a Multipolar Order

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed Wang’s sentiments, describing the Iran-China strategic partnership as “ironclad.” This partnership, he said, is rooted in shared cultural and civilizational bonds and united by common values and interests. Araghchi emphasized that with conflict and terrorism spreading in the region, alongside what he called “malign attempts at domineering on the global level,” Iran and China are more determined than ever to uphold the rule of law and preserve regional stability.

Araghchi reinforced this vision with a direct statement: “The Middle East belongs to the people of the Middle East… its future and destiny should be determined by its own people.” His remarks highlight Tehran’s alignment with Beijing’s narrative of a Middle East free from external domination, while also reinforcing Iran’s leadership ambitions in the region.

The Strategic and Symbolic Role of Iran

China’s decision to frame its Middle Eastern message alongside Iran is particularly significant. Despite Tehran’s contentious international standing, it remains a cornerstone of the CRINK (China-Russia-Iran-North Korea) axis. While Beijing faces challenges in managing the interests of these diverse partners, in primis Iran, it relies on them to advance its narrative of a multipolar world.

For Iran, the partnership with China offers critical support at a time of economic isolation and regional uncertainty. China provides Tehran with a platform to amplify its narrative of resistance against Western hegemony while reinforcing its claims to leadership in the region. Yet the relationship is not without challenges. Beijing remains cautious about fully aligning with Iran’s more controversial policies, including its nuclear ambitions, reflecting a delicate balance between shared interests and strategic restraint.

By placing Iran at the center of its Middle Eastern strategy, China underscores its ambition to promote an alternative global order centered on multilateralism and respect for sovereignty. However, this choice reveals the complexities and contradictions in Beijing’s approach. While China portrays itself as a champion of regional stability and non-interference, its reliance on Tehran—a nation frequently accused of undermining regional peace through its nuclear ambitions and proxy conflicts—raises questions about the consistency of its message.

A Shared Vision, But a Complex Future

The partnership risks appearing more opportunistic than principled, aimed at advancing Beijing’s strategic interests rather than genuinely fostering a balanced and autonomous Middle East. The Wang-Araghchi meeting illustrates the interplay between symbolism and strategy in international relations.

Through the “Four Respects,” China and Iran project a vision of a Middle East defined by its own people, free from external domination. This narrative, however, is not free from complexities. Both nations face significant challenges: China must navigate its relationships with other CRINK partners, while Iran seeks to balance its strategic ties with its broader regional ambitions.

Whether this vision can translate into tangible outcomes remains an open question. Yet the meeting underscores the growing significance of the China-Iran partnership in shaping the geopolitics of the Middle East and beyond.