As the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates, some Chinese citizens have shared on social media how they managed to escape Iran, evacuating through neighboring countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan.
According to reports from Reuters, a Chinese travel blogger using the pseudonym “Shuishui Crusoe” wrote, “Heart racing, amidst the fog of war, I actually see everything clearly: I packed my bags, attempting to evacuate to the embassy.” She decided to flee after Israel bombed Tehran last Friday (June 13th), despite the Chinese embassy at the time advising people to stay put.
Learning that fellow countrymen have successfully crossed a distance of 750 kilometers on foot and by car to reach the Armenian capital of Yerevan, she chose the same route and arrived at her destination on Monday (June 16th), a day earlier than the official evacuation notice issued by the Chinese embassy.
According to reports from Chinese state media, there are thousands of Chinese citizens who have been living in Iran for an extended period, with many residing in regions abundant in oil resources, reflecting Beijing’s active promotion of strategic and economic cooperation with Iran over the past two decades.
State-run media Xinhua reported on Wednesday (June 18th) that China has initiated an evacuation operation on Tuesday, sending long-distance buses to transport stranded Chinese citizens from Tehran to Turkmenistan, a distance of 1,150 kilometers.
Based on data from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), the majority of Chinese individuals in Iran work in the field of engineering, employed by Chinese companies investing nearly $5 billion in Iran since 2007, primarily engaged in the oil industry.
Cover News reported that Mr. Yang, engaged in business in Tehran, mentioned encountering a long line of fuel trucks extending one to two kilometers when leaving the city, with each vehicle limited to refueling 10 liters. “Some people have good relationships with station attendants or give a small tip, allowing them to refuel once again,” said Mr. Yang, noting that the highway out of the city was severely congested, turning a usual 4-hour drive into an 11-hour journey.
Israeli airstrikes have triggered a wave of fleeing from Tehran, with Chinese student Wang Mengzhe sharing how he and his uncle drove out of the city during an air raid alert. Their family’s trade business has faced challenges such as reduced orders, goods stuck in warehouses, and soaring insurance premiums. Some Iranian buyers have canceled orders due to currency devaluation and blocked bank payments, leading Chinese suppliers to contemplate reducing shipments.
Analysts point out that if the Tehran regime suffers severe damage or turnover, it could shake up Beijing’s diplomatic layout in the Middle East. While the Middle East has historically been within the sphere of American influence, Iran serves as a crucial point for China’s Belt and Road Initiative connecting to Europe and the Persian Gulf.
As the world’s largest energy consumer, China has long imported discounted crude oil from Iran, repeatedly violating US sanctions on Iranian oil and petrochemical trade.