Lavrov’s Beijing visit puts China’s diplomacy under pressure

RRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Beijing is placing China’s diplomacy under closer scrutiny, as it balances its partnership with Moscow against strained relations with the U.S.

In an interview with Anewz, Anna Evans, a political analyst, said that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s trip to Beijing, alongside fresh signals that President Vladimir Putin may visit China soon, comes at what she called “one of those critical junctures”, when it matters to show that Russia and China “remain very much aligned”, particularly because of the war and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz.

Energy concerns shape Beijing's priorities 

Evans argued that China’s energy exposure has sharpened Beijing’s interests, saying “China purchases 90% of Iranian oil”, and that limits on shipping and naval movements through Hormuz make Russian energy supplies “absolutely precious” for China, even if Russia’s own exports do not rely on the strait.

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Evans said the relationship, often seen as tilted towards China because of its economic weight, could appear more balanced in the current crisis because Beijing “vitally needs Russia, even more than it needed before, for its energy”, while Moscow relies on China in financial and technological terms.

Signals beyond symbolism

She further told Anewz that a Putin visit would be about showing the partnership is intact and about practical steps, including investment in pipelines and other infrastructure that can secure energy flows, and access to critical raw materials for technology industries.

On whether China is positioning itself as a broker between rival camps, Evans said this is Beijing’s “usual strategy”, a preference for “silent negotiation” and “a backstage role”, describing China as “very silently a back channel”, rather than a power that seeks the limelight, even when it has clear interests in Russia, Iran, and the wider Middle East crisis.

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News US-China relations China Russia ties Strait of Hormuz Iran USA