Sam Hawley

China might buy lots of Iran's oil, but it's trying to keep the war at arm's length.

So what role is Beijing playing?

How is its economy affected?

And what is it learning about the United States military?

Today, an expert in China's politics, Neil Thomas, from the Asia Society Policy Institute, on Xi Jinping's strategic moves.

I'm Sam Hawley on Gadigal land in Sydney.

This is ABC News Daily.

Neil, Donald Trump is scheduled to meet the Chinese president next month and, well, he reckons Xi Jinping is going to give him a huge hug.

That's what he said on his social media platform, Truth Social.

What do you reckon?

Yeah, okay.

So in Donald Trump's world, the Chinese leader would be really pleased with how things are going in the Iran war?

All right, the Chinese, though, they are really impacted by this war, aren't they, because of this closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Most of Iran's oil actually ends up in China, doesn't it?

So it is having an impact on the Chinese and the Chinese leader.

I did read as well, of course, that China has a massive, huge stockpile of oil.

So it can kind of ride this out.

Well, look, if China, as you say, is really focused on keeping this relationship with Washington on track, what do you make of these reports that China has actually sent weapons to Iran?

Now it denies it, Beijing denies it, but that would be of concern, would it not?

So Neil, why don't we unpack a bit more the reaction to this conflict from Beijing and I guess what it hopes to get out of it.