The summit highlights Tehran's growing relationship with Beijing — and Moscow — following its recent conflict with Israel, which was joined by the United States in attacking Iranian nuclear sites. China's support provides Iran with crucial economic and military backing that stands to weaken U.S.-led sanctions and containment efforts.

Russia, Iran and China are behind a growing number of life-threatening operations in Britain including attacks and kidnappings, often deploying criminals and sometimes children as proxies, two senior British police officers said on Tuesday.

Angela Stent, senior fellow at Brookings Institution, says Russian President Vladimir Putin counted on Chinese President Xi Jinping's support when he invaded Ukraine – and continues to count on Beijing's economic support and diplomatic support on a global stage.

China believes that the United States' tightening of anti-Russian sanctions does not contribute to the resolution of the “Ukrainian conflict,” which can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiations.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is visiting China for a foreign ministers meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

China hit back at "illegal unilateral sanctions" after U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said Beijing would be among those to feel the pain of his proposed legislation, which would slap up to a 500 percent secondary tariff on those trading with Russia.

Japan has warned of escalating military threats from China in a new defense report. The report highlights China's growing military activity near Japan’s southwestern coasts and the Pacific as a major strategic challenge.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russia's top diplomat on Tuesday that their countries should "strengthen mutual support", state media said, as foreign ministers gathered in Beijing for Shanghai

Russia and China would be the first nuclear powers to sign a treaty barring use of the weapons in Southeast Asia.

Garry Evans of BCA Research says unlike commodities, a lot of U.S. imports from China are non-fungible, which will cause the prices of basic U.S. goods to increase. He says China has started to respond to U.