The military operation codenamed “Epic Fury” launched by the U.S.-Israeli coalition has sent shockwaves across the globe. With Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei and dozens of top officials being precisely taken out, the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East collapsed overnight. As Iran’s closest strategic partner, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been almost powerless in the face of the “verbal condemnation” from the U.S. and Israel, and has faced successive setbacks.
Renowned mainland commentator Liang Hongda (Lao Liang) has provided sharp analysis, pointing out that the U.S. military is gradually strangling the CCP by eliminating its “junior brother.” Facing the collapse of its military strength and economic pressure, Beijing is hesitant to confront the U.S. directly.
Lao Liang believes that the primary reason the CCP hesitates to act is due to the “dimensional reduction blow to its military strength.”
During the “Epic Fury” operation, the Chinese-made HQ-9B air defense system deployed near Tehran suffered its most humiliating defeat ever. Faced with the U.S.-Israeli coalition’s F-35, F-22 stealth fighters, and powerful electronic warfare, the HQ-9B not only failed to intercept but also struggled with detection and targeting, allowing enemy forces to operate with impunity.
Lao Liang, with over 884,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, analyzed whether the CCP should intervene to help Iran.
He pointed out that both Iran and Venezuela had purchased the HQ-9B air defense system from China but it proved ineffective against both countries. In the face of the U.S.’s military strength and pressure, CCP decision-makers would undoubtedly hesitate. Combined with China’s economic downturn, the CCP is reluctant to completely disengage from the U.S. and face potential hot conflict at any time, which is unfavorable for the CCP. Thus, the CCP government finds itself in a dilemma.
Lao Liang stated that the threat posed by the U.S. to the CCP is significant, creating psychological deterrence, as the CCP lacks the ability to confront the U.S., leading to a lack of courage to act decisively.
Liang Hongda, a former journalist for over a decade and a host of independent programs that earned him high praise, is recognized as an outstanding presenter. His programs, such as “Lao Liang Speaks to the World,” “Lao Liang’s Story Collection,” and “Lao Liang Observes the World,” are known for their sharp language, concise commentary, and keen observation of current issues, establishing him as one of the most popular hosts in China, also known as “Famous Talker Lao Liang.”
As the HQ-9 series is an essential part of the CCP’s air defense system and deployed in regions like the southeast coast, some Western observers have raised questions about whether similar problems exist in China’s domestic systems given Iran’s HQ-9B struggles against stealth and electronic warfare.
Lao Liang emphasized that this is a comprehensive containment strategy against the CCP’s strategic expansion. The primary focus of this event is that the U.S. first arrested the President of Venezuela in January and then attacked Iran by the end of February, demonstrating that the U.S. continues to act as the world’s policeman, curbing the influence of CCP’s “little brothers.”
He mentioned that the U.S. clearly intends to gradually strangle the CCP and eventually defeat it. Therefore, the significance of the U.S.-Iran war lies in the context of U.S.-China rivalry; by targeting CCP’s allies, the U.S. can severely diminish the CCP’s influence. If the CCP ignores these actions, it will face negative consequences, questioning its future relationships.
Lao Liang argued that if Iran’s current regime becomes pro-American, the entire Middle East will essentially fall under American dominance, dealing a massive blow to the CCP’s Belt and Road Initiative, a reality that would be hard for the CCP to accept.
Amidst the onslaught from the U.S. and Israel, on March 1, CCP Politburo member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that the attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel during the talks were “unacceptable,” blatantly killing a sovereign country’s leader is also “unacceptable.”
On March 3, Wang Yi had a phone call with Israeli Foreign Minister, saying that violence cannot truly solve problems and will only bring new issues and serious consequences.
Lao Liang believed that Wang Yi’s remarks were mere lip service and self-consolation. Why did he say these things to the Israeli Foreign Minister instead of the U.S. Secretary of State? Would his words be heeded? This was just a show for the international community, as the CCP continues to support Iran without any effective countermeasures.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Wang Yi, besides verbal support, has very little substantive assistance to offer Iran, as China avoids being dragged into prolonged conflicts in the Middle East.
In conclusion, Lao Liang highlighted that the CCP’s deep entanglement with Iran leaves it in an unbreakable yet unstrained situation. The military strikes, seemingly aimed at Iran, are actually a strategic suffocation of the CCP by the U.S. In the face of comprehensive superiority in strength, intelligence, and courage, Beijing seems to have no choice but to watch its “junior brother” being choked out.
As of the time of publishing this article by Dajiyuan, Lao Liang’s latest program has garnered over 1.07 million views. Many netizens have praised Lao Liang’s insightful analysis and courage to speak the truth.