Iran thanks Chinese public after US-Israeli air strikes prompt online wave of sympathy

   South China Morning Post, By Phoebe Zhangin Shenzhen Published : 5 Mar 2026

Embassy in Beijing says Iran sincerely grateful to ‘the civilised and righteous Chinese people’ but financial aid not needed for now. The deadly US-Israeli military strikes on Iran have triggered an outpouring of public sympathy and support in China, with many social media users condemning the attacks and discussing ways to help.

The Iranian embassy in China thanked the “righteous” Chinese public on Thursday for their support, but said it was not accepting financial help from Chinese individuals and organisations for now. “The embassy would like to express its sincere gratitude to the civilised and righteous Chinese people,” the mission said in a statement on its official social media account. “Guided by humanitarian compassion, you chose righteousness and stood in solidarity with the Iranian people, strongly condemning the brutal attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian children and civilians. We will always cherish this bond of friendship.” Following an assessment of Iran’s capabilities, the embassy had determined that financial aid from the Chinese public was not urgent at this stage, the statement said. But it added that further notifications would follow if the circumstances changed. China has condemned the US-Israeli strikes against Iran that began last Saturday, and has offered diplomatic help while calling for de-escalation. 

However, mirroring its response to recent US military actions against China’s partners, such as Venezuela, Beijing has not offered substantial security support. Experts attribute the decision to factors including safeguarding US ties ahead of a planned visit by President Donald Trump as well as minimising added risk exposure. On Thursday, Beijing pledged to send its special envoy for the Middle East to the war-torn region as part of a mediation effort. Zhai Jun will travel to the Middle East in the near future to work towards the de-escalation of the situation, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said. “A protracted war and an escalation of conflict are not in the interest of any party,” Mao said in Beijing. “China believes that war and the use of force cannot fundamentally resolve issues, and that dialogue and negotiation are the correct path to solving problems. Efforts should persist in resolving conflicts and differences through political and diplomatic means.” She added that China was “deeply concerned” about the tensions in the Middle East and was intensively engaged in mediation efforts.  Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held a raft of phone calls with his Middle Eastern and European counterparts since March 1 on finding ways to end the military hostility and return to dialogue and negotiation. The talks have so far covered foreign ministers from Iran, Israel, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and France, as well as Russia. Mao said: “China also called on the parties involved in the conflict to earnestly fulfil their international obligations, ensure civilian safety, and avoid attacks on civilian facilities.”

As of Thursday, 470 Chinese nationals have been safely evacuated from Iran with help from the embassy there as well as other organisations, according to Beijing. US-Israeli air strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities since last Saturday, including the targeted elimination of its top leadership, has prompted retaliatory strikes from Iran on Israeli cities and US bases in the region. The Chinese public has rallied behind Iran, expressing strong support and sympathy online while condemning the US and Israel – particularly after reports broke of civilian casualties. News reports that 165 – mainly young girls – were killed in a missile strike on a junior school in southern Iran had nearly 50 million views on social media. “I pray for world peace,” one commenter said on China’s leading microblogging platform. Another likened the suffering of Iranian civilians to that of the Chinese during the Japanese occupation in the 1930s and 40s. 

Phoebe Zhang

 

Phoebe Zhang is a senior reporter with the South China Morning Post. She has a master's degree in journalism. She likes to write human-interest stories and has written many about