China in March 2026: the most important developments in politics
China's foreign policy in March 2026 centered on the conflict involving Iran. On 1 March China condemned the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and called for an immediate ceasefire. On 8 March Foreign Minister Wang Yi set out China's positions at a press conference: an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, the two-state solution as the only equitable resolution, and a China-Russia partnership he said is not afraid of external pressure. China sent a special envoy to the Middle East, announced emergency humanitarian aid for Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq, and on 26 March spoke of a 'glimmer of hope' for peace talks.
The planned summit between President Trump and President Xi ran alongside. Trade officials held talks in Paris on 15 and 16 March, and on 19 March the two sides agreed to set up a cooperation mechanism. On 17 March Trump delayed the summit, citing the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz, and on 18 March China agreed to postpone his visit to Beijing. On 25 March the White House said Trump plans to visit China in May.
At home, the annual Two Sessions ended on 12 March. The advisory body removed three retired generals from its membership, and the legislature approved the government work report, the 2026 budget, the 2026-2030 five-year plan and a new ethnic unity law. Rights groups warned the law could target minorities, and Taiwanese officials also expressed concern. Xi ordered the military to intensify its anti-corruption campaign, and the mayor of Chongqing came under investigation on 20 March.
Tensions with Japan and Taiwan continued. China warned Japan over a visit by Taiwan's premier on 9 March. On 24 March China protested after a member of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force broke into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo; Japan called the incident deeply regrettable, and China said the regret was far from sufficient. On 30 March China sanctioned Japanese lawmaker Keiji Furuya over his visits to Taiwan, and Xi invited a Taiwan opposition leader to China for talks.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
Click a day in the chart above for that day's brief.