Hong Kong, June 17 -- China purports to be a neutral and responsible force for good on the international stage, but its allegiances are as parochial as those of any other nation. This is demonstrated by its unstinting support for friends like Pakistan and Iran as they do battle with India and Israel, respectively.

As Israel and Iran traded violent blows from 13 June onwards, China's top diplomat Wang Yi discussed the situation with his counterpart in Tehran the very next day. A press release issued by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Sayyid Abbas Araghchi briefed Wang Yi on how "Israel's recent brazen attack on Iran caused casualties among Iranian military personnel and civilians, especially the attack on Iran's nuclear facilitie...