Why China still wants Donald Trump to visit despite the Iran war

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• China still wants Trump to visit despite US-Iran tensions
• China calls for end to Iran conflict, maintains diplomatic channels
• Energy and trade issues expected during Trump-Xi summit

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China has indicated that it still wants US President Donald Trump to visit later this month, even though tensions between the two countries have risen following the US military campaign against Iran.

Speaking at a press conference during China’s National People’s Congress, foreign minister Wang Yi said Beijing remained “positive and open” about hosting the visit. The White House has said Trump plans to travel to China on March 31, which would mark the first visit by a US president to the country in nearly a decade.

Wang emphasised that dialogue between the world’s two largest economies remains essential. He warned that avoiding engagement would only increase misunderstandings and push the relationship towards confrontation, the Financial Times reported.

China criticises the war but keeps the diplomatic door open

Even as Beijing welcomed the planned summit, Wang made clear that China does not support the war in Iran. He said the conflict “should not have happened” and repeated China’s call for an immediate end to military operations.

China has long opposed regime change through external military intervention, particularly in the Middle East. Wang said regional issues should be resolved by countries in the region themselves and warned that military force rarely produces lasting solutions.

“The history of the Middle East tells the world time and again that force provides no solution,” Wang said.

Despite this criticism, Beijing’s tone toward the planned meeting with Trump remained pragmatic. Chinese officials appear to see the summit as an opportunity to stabilise relations with Washington at a time of growing geopolitical tension.

Energy concerns are a major reason for China’s caution

The conflict between the US and Iran has direct economic implications for China.

China is the world’s largest importer of crude oil and relies heavily on the Middle East for its energy supplies. Iran alone accounts for about 13 percent of China’s crude imports. In addition, large volumes of oil and gas bound for China pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping route that could be disrupted if the conflict escalates.

Energy analysts say the effects of the war could be felt unevenly across China’s economy.

Michal Meidan of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies said the impact may be particularly visible in provinces and industries that depend heavily on imported crude oil and liquefied natural gas from the Middle East.

Trade tensions remain a key issue in US-China relations

Beyond the war, the Trump visit is expected to focus heavily on economic relations.

The United States and China agreed to a one-year trade truce last October after years of tariffs and economic confrontation. Officials on both sides are expected to review that arrangement and discuss ways to prevent the dispute from escalating again.

For Beijing, hosting the visit offers a chance to keep diplomatic channels open while navigating a complicated geopolitical moment.

For Washington, the trip comes at a time when US military actions in different parts of the world are reshaping global alliances and economic relationships.

Despite sharp disagreements over Iran and other issues, both governments appear to believe that direct talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping remain necessary to manage an increasingly fragile relationship.