china asks for more time

China knows that it is not invincible. Israel faces calls from Iran for its destruction. The destinies of china and Israel are about to intertwine.

China has economic and strategic connections with Iran. Iran needs to trade with China no less than China needs Iranian oil. China has the means to avert a global catastrophe and needs to act now.

China’s decision to ask for more time before deciding (not) to endorse sanctions against Tehran is a bluff. They are attempting to buy time because the decision the face is not a pleasant one.

China, today a virtual super-power has global responsibilities. Its destiny may still be to rule the world. But, the fulfilment of that destiny is by no means a certainty. That grand destiny could easily end on the tips of Iranian missiles.

China has strategic weaknesses, the most vital of which is a lack of its own oil. China’s growing economy is increasingly dependent on Middle Eastern oil. China needs Iranian oil. China needs the Persian Gulf to stay open to supply that oil. If it can persuade Tehran to pull back from its journey into self destruction, it can keep those ties and benefits. If however hostilities break out, Iran will block the Strait of Hormuz, and those oil supplies to China will stop. China will become one of many economic victims of an (impending) Iranian war.

China must act in its own interests, but will it?

China could persuade Iran to abandon its self destructive pursuit of nuclear weapons. If it doesn’t agree to sanctions the China must therefore act to diplomatically to dissuade Tehran from its current path. If it fails or fails to act then when Israel next views that it faces an imminent Iranian threat to its very existence Israel’s will defend itself and in doing so it will determine China’s global destiny.

As long as Iran isn’t hurt economically, as long as it is not hit with paralyzing sanctions, it has no reason to stop developing nuclear weapons. China can make that change.

The outcome of the Iranian nuclear affair is lies pregnant in the courts of Beijing. All eyes are on China. The ayes for sanctions are up to China. Meanwhile time and destiny tick away.

K