Inside Xi’s Circle: The Man Behind China–Iran Military Ties

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As the war in Iran unfolds, new questions are emerging about China’s role behind the scenes. At the center of the story is Zhang Guoqing, a Chinese vice premier and Politburo member with deep roots in the country’s military-industrial complex. Before entering politics, Zhang spent decades at NORINCO, China’s powerful state arms exporter, and even worked in Tehran during the early years of China–Iran defense cooperation. In this episode, we examine how Zhang Guoqing rose to Xi Jinping’s inner circle, his connections to China–Iran military ties, and why the Iran conflict may be testing both Chinese weapons technology and Beijing’s strategy in the Middle East.

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