China’s President Xi Jinping is set to visit Vladimir Putin in Russia next week. The two leaders met in Beijing in February last year
- The talks will focus on their ‘deepening’ relationship and ‘strategic co-operation’
- The two leaders will also sign ‘important bilateral documents’, China said
China‘s President Xi Jinping is set to visit Russia next week in an apparent show of support for Vladimir Putin.
No other details were given but China has declared a ‘no-limits’ friendship with Russia and refused to condemn Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine – while declaring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries be respected.
The Kremlin on Friday also announced the visit, saying it will take place ‘at the invitation of Vladimir Putin’.
The talks will take place from Monday to Wednesday and focus on the two regime’s ‘deepening’ relationship and ‘strategic co-operation’.
Xi last visited Russia in 2019, though Putin attended the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing last year and the two leaders also met at a regional security gathering in Uzbekistan in September.
The Kremlin on Friday also announced the visit, saying it will take place ‘at the invitation of Vladimir Putin’. Both men are pictured together at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, September 16, 2022
Xi and Putin will discuss ‘issues of further development of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between Russia and China’, as well as exchange views ‘in the context of deepening Russian-Chinese co-operation in the international arena’, the Kremlin said in a statement.
The two leaders will also sign ‘important bilateral documents’, the statement read.
Beijing has also condemned western sanctions and accused Nato and the United States of provoking Russia.
Putin invited Xi to visit Russia during a video conference call the two held in late December.
The visit, Putin said, could ‘demonstrate to the whole world the strength of the Russian-Chinese ties’ and ‘become the main political event of the year in bilateral relations’.
China has previously attempted to portray itself as a neutral party in the conflict, but this position has been viewed as lacking credibility and providing tacit support for Moscow.
In a 12-point position paper on the war published last month, China called for dialogue and respect for all countries’ territorial sovereignty.
China and Russia are also strategic allies, with both sides frequently touting what they call a ‘no limits’ partnership.
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By: Miss Cherry May Timbol – Independent Reporter
