Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, on the second day of his visit to Russia, spoke of the “priority” of “strategic” relations between Moscow and Beijing, two “great powers”, and announced that he had invited Vladimir Putin to visit China. This year, a sign of the ties that unite the two countries against the backdrop of tensions with the West, AFP and EFE write.

• More than four hours of talks between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, received in Moscow / Xi called Putin a “dear friend” / Statements of the two leaders
• China is trying to undermine Russia’s influence precisely during Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow

The Chinese president began his three-day visit to Moscow on Monday with a meeting with Vladimir Putin, with talks lasting more than four hours. The visit is taking place in the context of the International Criminal Court issuing a warrant for Putin’s arrest on Friday.

“Historical logic”

Xi Jinping said his trip to Moscow was in line with “historical logic” as Russia and China are “the largest neighboring countries and strategic partners at all levels”.

• “Yesterday (Monday), I invited President Putin to come to China this year, at a time convenient for him, as this year China will host the third international forum within the framework of the One Belt One Road initiative (formerly the Silk Road).” – said Si. This was reported by the official Russian news agency TASS.

He stated this at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mykhailo Mishustin, whom he also invited to visit China “as soon as possible.”

• “Prime Minister Li Qiang will continue to give priority to the global strategic partnership between China and Russia,” Xi Jinping said.

“Sincere thanks” and “important decisions”

Xi arrived at the headquarters of the Russian government and then went to the Kremlin to meet again with Vladimir Putin and the delegations of the two leaders, EFE said. Xi Jinping and Mishustin shook hands as a sign of congratulations and posed in front of the flags of China and Russia for a protocol photo.

• “First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your re-election to the post of President of the People’s Republic of China.
• And I would like to sincerely thank you for the great personal attention you pay to the development of friendship and partnership between Russia and China,” said the Russian Prime Minister, addressing the Chinese head of state.

The Russian Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of Xi Jinping’s first foreign visit to Russia after his re-election: “It demonstrates the special nature of Russian-Chinese relations, which are entering a new era.” Mishustin said that he is “convinced” that important agreements between the two countries will be reached at the talks between Putin and Xi:

• “Important decisions regarding the development of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the medium term until 2030 are planned.
• Russia is sincerely interested in further strengthening our comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction with China. Our relations are at the highest level for the entire centuries-old history and influence the formation of the global agenda, in the logic of multipolarity.
• The coordination of our joint activities is ensured by the mechanism of periodic meetings of the heads of government of Russia and China. This is a unique format that includes five intergovernmental commissions and more than 80 subcommittees and working groups,” the Russian prime minister said, noting that most members of the Russian government are participating in Tuesday’s meeting with Xi.

The investment portfolio of the Russian-Chinese intergovernmental commission on investment cooperation includes 79 projects worth more than 165 billion dollars, the Russian prime minister added.

Also, Mishustin was sure that Russia and China will bring their trade turnover to 200 billion dollars already this year, and not in 2024, as planned. Last year, the trade turnover between the two countries increased by almost a third, reaching almost 190 billion dollars.

The Russian Prime Minister also stated that, despite the “unfavorable external environment, turbulence in world markets and a large number of Western sanctions, trade and economic cooperation between Russia and China is developing successfully.”

New meeting with Putin

The conflict in Ukraine will be at the center of talks due to begin at around 1200 GMT on Tuesday between Xi and Putin after an “informal” tête-à-tête meeting on Monday in which they demonstrated their good relationship by referring to the nickname “dear friend”. AFP reports.

During that first meeting, which lasted more than four and a half hours, Putin said he was “ready” to discuss Beijing’s plan to end the conflict, praising “(Beijing’s) ‘fair and balanced position on international issues.’

Although China is trying to establish itself as a mediator in Ukraine, the West believes that Beijing is too supportive of Moscow to inspire trust. Washington even accuses the Chinese authorities of intending to supply weapons to Russia, which they deny.

The West also believes that Russia’s attack on Ukraine could inspire Beijing to take control of Taiwan, AFP notes. (Source: Agerpres)