Chinese President warns “The World Can Move On Without the US”

June 18, 2025 (MLN): Amid escalating Israel-Iran tensions, Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a sharp reminder from history, stating in a post on X that “the world can move on without the United States.”

He noted that 100 years ago, the British Empire dominated global commerce, commanding more than 20% of the world’s wealth, and many believed its sun would never set.

200 years ago, France bestrode Europe’s stage, with its armies feared and its culture envied, as Napoleon declared himself immortal.

Going back 400 years, the Spanish crown reigned from Manila to Mexico, with treasure fleets laden with silver and silk, and kings who believed their glory would last eternal.

Xi emphasized that each empire proclaimed itself indispensable but was ultimately eclipsed.

“Power wanes, influence migrates, and legitimacy dies the moment it's assumed rather than earned,” he wrote.

“Should America forfeit the world’s respect, it will discover what every fallen empire learned too late: the world moves on. Always”, he further noted.

His remarks came as the Israel-Iran air war entered its sixth day.

An Israeli military official reported that approximately 10 ballistic missiles were launched from Iran toward Israel in the early hours of Wednesday morning, most of which were intercepted.

Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv, while Iranian news websites reported blasts in Tehran and the city of Karaj to the west of the capital, as per Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump called for Iran’s unconditional surrender and warned that U.S. patience was wearing thin, though he stated there was no intention to kill Iran’s leader “for now.”

“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” he posted on Truth Social.

Three minutes later, he posted, "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!".

A White House official confirmed that Trump spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, corroborating an earlier report from Axios.