In meetings with Putin, Xi proclaimed that Sino-Russian relations "have stood the test of a changing international landscape".
Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Kremlin strongman Vladimir Putin vowed to deepen their strategic partnership in Beijing on Thursday, May 16, in a clear sign of their cohesion as Russian troops advance in Ukraine.
CNN writes about this.
The day before, Xi Jinping welcomed Putin, whose delegation includes top defense and security officials, to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with a full military parade, marking the start of the Russian dictator's two-day state visit to China.
Putin came to Xi: what they talked about
Xi welcomed the deepening ties between the two countries, formalized in a joint statement signed by the leaders during a ceremony on Thursday afternoon, saying they would “bring a powerful impetus” to the development of their relations.
The visit is Putin's symbolic first foreign foray since taking up a new term as Russia's president last week, the latest sign of a strengthening relationship as both leaders tie their countries closer together in the face of major differences with the West.
In his meetings with Putin, Xi proclaimed that China-Russia relations have “withstood the test of the changing international landscape” and made “positive contributions to maintaining global strategic stability,” according to a statement from China's Foreign Ministry.
Putin, whose economy has become increasingly dependent on China since invading Ukraine in February 2022, spoke of the countries' “practical cooperation” at the meeting with Xi, noting the record volume of bilateral trade last year, noting the importance of strengthening cooperation in the energy, industrial and agricultural sectors, reports the Russian state media Tass.
This is the fourth time Putin and Xi have spoken face to face since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 – weeks after they announced a “no restrictions” partnership on the sidelines Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
This week's state visit comes amid growing international concern over the direction of the war in Ukraine amid delays in aid to Kiev, and as the Russian economy and defense complex remain unaffected by Western sanctions, a situation United States officials say , linked to Chinese support, which Beijing denies.
Putin said he and Xi will discuss the war in Ukraine at informal talks later Thursday evening, which are expected to include newly appointed Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and his predecessor Sergei Shoigu, now the council secretary. security of Russia.
Increasing international pressure on Ukraine
Putin's red carpet reception in Beijing came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he was canceling all future international visits as his troops defend against a surprise Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv earlier this week to reaffirm the Biden administration's support for Ukraine after a months-long Congressional delay in approving US military aid to the war zone country. Blinken pledged $2 billion in foreign military funding and said desperately needed ammunition and weapons were already on their way to the front lines.
Pressure on Xi from the US and Europe is also growing to ensure that the rapid growth of Chinese exports to Russia since the start of the war does not support the Kremlin's war efforts.
In recent weeks, White House officials have confronted Beijing over what they see as significant support for Russia's defense industrial base – in the form of goods such as machine tools, engines for drones and turbojet aircraft, and microelectronics exported from China. . Beijing criticized the United States for “baseless accusations” regarding “normal trade and economic exchanges” between China and Russia.
Beijing has never condemned the Russian invasion, declaring neutrality in the war, and has issued a vaguely formulated 12-point position on its resolution. Ahead of the expected peace conference in Switzerland last month, Xi called for peace talks that take into account the positions of both sides.
In an interview with Chinese state media Xinhua on the eve of his arrival, Putin praised China's approaches to resolving the crisis in Ukraine.
Speaking alongside Putin on Thursday, the Chinese leader said both countries “agree that a political solution to the Ukrainian issue is the right direction” and called for building a “balanced, effective and sustainable security system” – a hint at the general opinion of Beijing and Moscow that NATO is to blame for the war in Europe.
“China hopes for peace and stability in Europe in the near future and continues to play a constructive role,” Xi said.
Coordination of general contradictions
This week's visit marks the 43rd meeting of the leaders during Xi's more than decade in power. Known for their close personal chemistry, Xi and Putin have steadily expanded diplomatic coordination, economic coordination and cooperation between their countries during this time—while both have faced conflicts with the United States and its allies.
Even as Xi tries to repair frayed relations with Europe and stabilize his country's relationship with the United States, he is unwilling to sacrifice his partnership with Putin, whom the Chinese leader views as an indispensable partner in reforming a world order in which he believes believes the United States is unfairly dominated and tries to curb its growth.
This shared worldview was also on display on Thursday when Xi, speaking alongside Putin, denounced the long-lasting “Cold War mentality” and said that “one-sided hegemony, camp rivalry and power politics threaten world peace and the security of every country” – using the language , typical of Beijing’s joint criticism of the United States and its allies with Russia.
Putin nodded to Xi's concerns about increasing interaction between NATO and like-minded countries in Asia, calling for “a robust and adequate security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region, in which there will be no place for closed military-political alliances.”
“We consider the creation of such alliances to be counterproductive and harmful,” Putin said following the meetings on Thursday.
In addition to the meetings in Beijing, which are expected to include a “gala” to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Putin will also attend forums on trade and cooperation in Harbin, the neighboring capital northeastern Chinese province of Heilongjiang. with the Russian Far East.
Historically, the region has been the site of long-term border tensions between the two neighbors, which culminated in conflict between China and the Soviet Union in 1969. Recent years have seen increased connections with parts of the Russian Far East.
Putin is also expected to meet with students and faculty from the Harbin Institute of Technology, a university that was sanctioned by the US government in 2020 over its likely role in purchasing goods for the Chinese military.
Recall, China and the aggressor country Russia, which has fully invaded Ukraine, are in favor of a political settlement of the war. This was discussed during a joint press conference between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian dictator Putin.
Related topics:
More news
