Investor thinking on Chinese assets is changing, as steady returns through the turbulence of the Iran war and AI frenzy show how China has broken step with global markets, carving it a niche as a sandbag against volatility. The shift has brought money into the bond market and encouraged investors to seek out stocks with drivers distinct from global trends. “The role of China in portfolios is evolving from a simple emerging-market growth allocation toward a more nuanced source of diversification,” said Christopher Hamilton, head of client investment solutions for Asia Pacific ex-Japan at Invesco, a manager of about $2.2 trillion in global assets.