China’s role on the international stage has become increasingly clear in recent years. In the pursuit of influence, China is trying to tie countries like Russia and Iran.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has just paid a visit to China, which is Iran’s first state visit to China in over twenty years. Both countries have economies in crisis and want to increase trade with each other.
– China is benefiting very much right now from the limitations in oil prices for Russia and Iran, and that you can get very cheap oil. So it is a big focus, says Jerker Hellström, China analyst at the Swedish Center of China studies, i Current.
Reduce US influence
In addition to low oil prices, China’s interest also concerns, among other things, transport routes through Russia and Iran to the west and investment in infrastructure.
According to Jerker Hellström, however, the most important reason is the countries’ common interest in reducing US influence in the region.
– A big challenge for them among themselves is not to challenge each other’s spheres of interest, he says.
– That is what you are constantly working with in these dialogues you are having now, most recently in Beijing.