China’s President Xi Jinping held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday, as several leaders from countries affected by the Middle East war converged in Beijing. Lavrov joined Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Vietnamese leader To Lam in meeting with Xi this week.
Following his meeting with Xi, Lavrov stated that Russia is prepared to offset China’s energy shortages caused by disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Iran conflict. Meanwhile, Xi has been positioning China as a mediator and a reliable partner amid the US- and Israeli-led turmoil in the region.
On Tuesday, Xi assured Abu Dhabi’s crown prince that China intends to play a constructive role in advancing peace negotiations in the Middle East. In discussions with Spain’s Sanchez, Xi highlighted the global challenges of “chaos and turmoil” and described the situation as a struggle between justice and force, calling for enhanced cooperation. Sanchez expressed support for China’s efforts to help resolve the conflict.
Although diplomatic engagements in Beijing are typically frequent, the Middle East war and the critical issue of energy security have intensified the urgency of these talks. Dylan Loh, associate professor at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, noted that China’s influence over Iran raises hopes that Beijing might exert direct pressure on Tehran to halt attacks on Gulf nations and continue diplomatic dialogue.
Ja Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, observed that the influx of visitors reflects how various actors are adapting to an unpredictable global landscape, with engagement with China part of this adjustment. While many visits were likely scheduled before the crisis, those from Gulf representatives and Lavrov appear directly linked to the conflict and efforts to de-escalate tensions.
During his two-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, Lavrov emphasized Russia’s ability to supply energy resources to China amid the Strait of Hormuz blockade. As a net oil importer, China has faced rising costs for petrol, plastics, and fertilizers due to the war. Lavrov assured that Russia can compensate for resource shortages affecting China and other partners.
However, Chong pointed out that Moscow and Beijing may have differing interests regarding the Iran conflict. While high energy prices disrupt China’s economy, they provide Moscow with funds to support its war in Ukraine.
At the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi encouraged China and Russia to leverage their geographic proximity and complementary strengths to deepen cooperation and enhance each other’s development resilience. He stressed the importance of maintaining strategic focus, mutual trust, and joint progress.
Lavrov, in turn, remarked that China-Russia relations contribute to global stability, underscoring the significance of their partnership in world affairs.
