Chinese President Xi Jinping has engaged with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and urged for “tighter and more robust strategic collaboration” between Beijing and Moscow, as reported by state media.
Xi met Lavrov in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday, as reported by China's Xinhua news agency, where he called on Russia and China to “strongly protect their legitimate interests and uphold the unity of Global South nations.”
The Chinese leader noted that the stability and reliability of China-Russia relations were especially “valuable” in a global environment characterized by upheaval and disorder, according to The Associated Press.
Although a Chinese summary of Xi's comments to the Russian minister did not directly mention the US-Israel conflict with Iran, his statements seemed to reflect rising concerns that a closure of the Strait of Hormuz could lead to a worldwide food crisis as essential fertilizer and fuel shipments are hindered from exiting the Gulf.
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Since shortly after the US and Israel initiated their war on February 28, Iran has effectively closed the strait to most maritime traffic, while the US military stated on Tuesday that it has completely blockaded all Iranian ports in an effort to compel Tehran to comply with US ceasefire conditions.
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The closure of the strait is impacting worldwide energy supplies, as 20 percent of global oil and gas exports passed through the waterway prior to the conflict.
Lavrov mentioned at a press conference following his meeting with Xi that Moscow might “make up for” China’s energy deficits due to congested shipping in the strait.
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Prior to his meeting with Xi, Lavrov met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Tuesday to talk about the conflict in the Middle East, the Ukraine war, and various geopolitical matters, as reported by China's CGTN news outlet.