China’s President, Xi Jinping, on Wednesday met with Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, in Beijing, as leaders from countries affected by the Middle East crisis held talks with Chinese authorities.
Lavrov joined Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Vietnam’s leader To Lam in separate meetings with Xi this week.
Speaking after the meeting, Lavrov said Russia could offset China’s energy shortages amid disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz caused by the Iran war.
Xi, in recent engagements, reiterated China’s intention to play a constructive role in promoting peace in the Middle East.
During talks with the Abu Dhabi crown prince, he pledged support for peace efforts, while in discussions with Sanchez, he warned of rising global instability and called for stronger cooperation.
Analysts say the increased diplomatic engagements reflect growing concerns over energy security and the wider impact of the Middle East conflict.
Lavrov, who is on a two-day visit, also held talks with China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, where both sides discussed the Iran conflict, the Asia-Pacific situation, and the war in Ukraine.
China, a major oil importer, has been affected by rising energy costs linked to the crisis, while Russia indicated its readiness to supply additional resources to bridge the gap.
Xi, during the meeting, called for deeper cooperation between China and Russia, urging both countries to strengthen strategic trust and expand bilateral relations.
Both sides also discussed plans for a meeting between Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin later this year.
AFP
