Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the significance of the friendship treaty between Beijing and Moscow during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday. Xi described relations with Russia as particularly "precious," calling for deeper cooperation and mutual support. He stated that both countries should strengthen coordination and defend shared interests, according to Chinese state media reports.

The Russian foreign minister offered China Russia's assistance in boosting energy supplies to offset disruptions caused by the war with Iran, including constraints on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Lavrov told a news conference in China: "Russia can, of course, make up for the resource shortfall facing both China and other countries that are interested in working with us on an equal and mutually beneficial basis."

Amid the chaos in the Middle East following the US-Israeli war on Iran, China has projected itself as a stabilizing force and potential mediator in the conflict. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Vietnamese leader To Lam all met with Xi this week. This reflects the growing diplomatic activity around the Middle East crisis and China's evolving role in it.

Experts say Gulf countries are hoping for China to help rein in Iran's attacks on its neighbors and bring Tehran to the negotiation table. Dylan Loh, associate professor at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, told the French AFP news agency: "China has got leverage and influence over Iran, and there are some hopes and expectations that China can use this influence in a more direct way."

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit China soon, further solidifying the close ties between the two nations. These events highlight China's growing role in global politics and the importance of its strategic partnership with Russia, even as the US regime and its allies face challenges in the region.

Source: www.dw.com