China Takes Advantage of US Focus on Middle East

China is expanding military dominance in the South China Sea—mostly unchallenged by the United States.

An airfield, buildings, and structures are seen on the artificial island built by China in Subi Reef on Oct. 25, 2022 in Spratly Islands, South China Sea. Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

Commentary

At the time of this writing, a two-week ceasefire has been agreed to by the Trump administration and whoever is running Iran. Whether the ceasefire holds and leads to an end to the war remains to be seen.

Beijing Taking Advantage Where It Can

But in the meantime, China is doing whatever it can to adjust to the changing energy situation and take advantage of the U.S. focus on Iran as much as possible.