Economically drained by its now-abandoned zero-Covid strategy, Beijing has been softening its tone on foreign affairs and upping its diplomacy with Western governments, analysts say, in a bid to win back lost ground and stabilize its relations.

In meetings with Blinken during his expected early February trip -- as well as European leaders who've signaled they may visit in the coming months -- Chinese counterparts are likely to emphasize their long-standing calls for a peaceful resolution and play up what they claim is China's "objective and impartial position" on the conflict, analysts say.

But while the optics may be different from this time last year, China's support for Russia -- when measured by its annual trade, diplomatic engagements and schedule of joint military exercises -- tells a different story.

Those metrics show that over the past year China has continued to bolster, not retreat from, its "no limits" partnership -- a relationship that has been strengthening in recent years and which analysts say Beijing continues to view as key to its fundamental goals of maintaining national security and pushing back at a US-led world order.

"China is very skilled in calibrating the narrative depending on the audience," said Alexander Gabuev, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

But when it comes to China's ties with Russia in the wake of the Ukraine war, "I don't see any buyer's remorse," rather, he added, "China is helping itself to the opportunities that this crisis provides."