From China Daily, Yeah China knows what is going on, and how you would like to view it is up to you. Maybe you could consider it a weakening of the NATO economies across Europe. The back story is like war, sanctions, a coup, and sabotage at the Nord Stream pipeline. It's bigger than Ben Hur and where to for 2023?
2022 leaves Europe in grip of energy crisis - China Daily 中国日报
Xi says Russia and China to inject more stability into the world
Xi Jinping expected to visit Russia early 2023, says Putin - Sky News Australia
2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage
The 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage were a series of clandestine bombings and subsequent underwater gas leaks that occurred on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipelines on 26 September 2022.
BACKGROUND - Former US President Donald Trump said in 2019 that Nord Stream 2 could turn Europe into a "hostage of Russia" and placed sanctions on any company assisting Russia to complete the pipeline. In December 2020, then President Elect Joe Biden came out forcefully against the opening of the new pipeline and the impact this would have on potential Russian influence. In early 2022 it was reported that, while the Biden administration was "unwavering" in opposition to Nord Stream 2, it is "in the national interest of the United States" to waive these sanctions, mainly to appease European allies of the US, particularly Germany.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Nord_Stream_pipeline_sabotage
Russia and Iran Are Building a Trade Route That Defies Sanctions
Russia and Iran are building a new transcontinental trade route stretching from the eastern edge of Europe to the Indian Ocean, a 3,000–kilometer (1,860–mile) passage that’s beyond the reach of any foreign intervention.
The emerging trade corridor would allow Russia and Iran to shave thousands of kilometers off existing routes. At its northern end is the Sea of Azov, which is bracketed by the Crimean Peninsula, Ukraine’s southeastern coast—including the Russian–occupied port of Mariupol—and the mouth of the River Don.
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2022-russia-iran-trade-corridor/?leadSource=uverify%20wall
Russia, China, and Iran look like a nice combination. If you were going to antagonize someone, however.
INSTC - Russia, India, Iran strategic trade corridor | Alternative to Suez Canal | Geopolitics - Amit Sengupta