Overview
- Xi hosted leaders from Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Russia in Beijing in recent days, signaling a push to cast China as a steady partner for governments seeking stability.
- On the Iran war, Xi rolled out a four-point plan that urges restraint and respect for sovereignty, and Trump later credited China with nudging Tehran to talks even as Chinese state media downplayed any broker role.
- Russia’s Sergey Lavrov said Moscow stands ready to increase energy supplies to China, reinforcing Beijing’s buffer against oil shocks tied to fighting that has disrupted traffic near the Strait of Hormuz.
- Analysts say China is linking moves from renewed North Korea engagement to trade demands on chip and AI export controls, with potential large purchases as bargaining chips to raise leverage at the mid-May talks.
- Coverage splits over Washington’s footing, with The Straits Times highlighting Trump’s strained ties with allies as they coordinate on Middle East security and Breitbart portraying the United States as newly assertive and respected.