A social media post shared from a verified X account, presenting itself as an official Chinese platform, went viral online. The post claimed that China had announced support for Iran in the ongoing regional tensions.
The Claim:
The post, shared by an account named ‘China in English,’ quoted China’s Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun as saying Beijing would stand by Iran and warned not to meddle in their affairs.
“We are committed to peace and stability in the world. We are monitoring the situation in the Middle East. Our ships are moving in and out of the Strait of Hormuz. We have trade and energy agreements with Iran. We will respect and honour them and expect others not to meddle in our affairs. Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz and it is open for us,” the statement read.
Fact Check:
An analysis by the Burak News Fact Check Wing found no credible evidence supporting the claim.
The account ‘China in English’ presents itself as a Chinese strategic platform. However, its digital footprint suggests links outside China, in Western Asia. The account does not appear to be an official or verified Chinese government source.
No statement matching the viral claim was found on official Chinese government platforms, including the Ministry of National Defence, or in state media outlets.
Experts note that official Chinese statements on sensitive geopolitical matters are typically issued through verified government channels and widely reported by state-run media. No such confirmation exists in this case.
The wording and tone of the viral post also differ from standard official Chinese diplomatic communication, raising further doubts about its authenticity.
Verdict:
The claim is not supported by any credible or official source. The statement falsely attributed to China’s defence minister is fabricated and appears to be part of a misleading narrative circulated online.
Objective Behind the Campaign:
Security analysts say the account’s presentation as a Chinese voice suggests an attempt to mislead audiences and amplify geopolitical tensions.
They note that such content may aim to create confusion and provoke reactions by falsely projecting China’s involvement in regional conflicts. The campaign patron indicate the account being run possibly from Israel or other country in the region and trigger unintended retaliation from concerned parties.
They urge media organisations and the public to verify sensitive geopolitical claims through official and reliable sources before dissemination.
