China and Iranian Patriotism (On Hold)

Sound Bite

Iran, under international sanctions, has projected an image of strengthening ties with China. But this book analyzes how China's opportunistic policies toward Iran in oil, trade, and security have fueled widespread anti-Chinese sentiment among Iranians.

About the Book

The book moves beyond official narratives to argue that China has consistently acted as an opportunistic and self-centered power, taking advantage of Iran's international isolation. The author makes several key observations to support this conclusion:

• Exploitative Trade: Under international sanctions, Iran's crude oil has been sold to China at massive discounts, treated not as a noble commodity but as "stolen property." This trade enriched a shadowy network of intermediaries while offering little benefit to ordinary Iranians.
• Hollow Promises: The much-publicized 25-year strategic agreement and China's Belt and Road Initiative have failed to deliver significant investment, leading to widespread disappointment and suspicion that Iran's sovereignty was being sold off for empty promises.
• Domestic Harm: The influx of subpar Chinese goods, particularly in the automotive sector, has decimated local industries and is blamed for thousands of traffic deaths annually, creating a perception that China profits from Iranian misfortune.
• Diplomatic Betrayal: China has failed to act as a reliable diplomatic ally, most notably by taking a controversial stance on the sensitive territorial dispute between Iran and the UAE over the trio islands, which was seen as a profound betrayal by the Iranian public.

Ultimately, the book concludes that China's policy behaviors have squandered any chance of building genuine soft power or winning the hearts and minds of the Iranian people. By treating Iran not as an "old friend" but as a subordinate customer to be exploited, China has generated deep-seated animosity that challenges the long-term viability of the Sino-Iranian partnership. This work is a critical examination of the real-world consequences of China's rise and a look at a bilateral relationship that is far more fractured than it appears.