BEIJING, April 1 -- The repercussions of the over month-long war in the Middle East have reached China, with petrol and plastic prices up and its diplomats pushing for peace.

Here's what the world's second-largest economy is weighing up in its relationship with Iran and the Middle East:

How close are China and Iran's economies?

While China and Iran are sometimes considered part of a broader anti-Western group - alongside Russia and North Korea - their relationship is transactional.

"China is interested in Iran primarily as a source of discounted oil," according to William Figueroa, a China-Iran expert at the University of Groningen.

The heavily sanctioned state relies on Chinese oil purchases to fill its coffers.

Beijing bought more...