China navigates energy crisis and fertilizer shortages to bolster its global standing

US attacks on Iran have triggered an energy crisis, impacting fertilizer supply chains and potentially leading to a global food crisis. This situation presents China, a major fertilizer and fuel exporter, with diplomatic leverage. However, China has reportedly restricted exports, prioritizing its domestic economy. Southeast Asian nations, heavily reliant on Middle Eastern energy, are experiencing shortages. The crisis may also be influencing geopolitical shifts, such as potential resets in relations between China and countries like the Philippines.