“China is ready to work with Russia and all progressive forces around the world that oppose hegemonism and power politics…and firmly defend the sovereignty, security and development interests of both countries and international justice.”
Putin to Xi: Russia seeks to strengthen military ties with China
The US has expressed concern over Beijing’s alignment with Moscow amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
✓Russia’s ties with China are the “best in history”, President Vladimir Putin told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, as he said Moscow would seek to strengthen military cooperation with Beijing.
The two leaders spoke via video link on Friday, and Putin said he was expecting Xi to make a state visit to Moscow in 2023. If it were to take place, it would be a public show of solidarity by Beijing amid Moscow’s flailing military campaign in Ukraine.
In introductory remarks from the video conference broadcast on state television, Putin said: “We are expecting you, dear Mr chairman, dear friend, we are expecting you next spring on a state visit to Moscow.”
✓ He said the visit would “demonstrate to the world the closeness of Russian-Chinese relations”.
Speaking for about eight minutes, Putin said Russia-China relations were growing in importance as a stabilising factor, and that he aimed to deepen military cooperation between the two countries.
In a response that lasted about a quarter as long, Xi said China was ready to increase strategic cooperation with Russia against the backdrop of what he called a “difficult” situation in the world at large.
✓ Earlier this month, Russia and China conducted joint naval drills, which Russia’s army chief described as a response to the “aggressive” US military posturing in the Asia-Pacific region.
Xi “emphasized that China has noted that Russia has never refused to resolve the conflict through diplomatic negotiations, for which it [China] expresses its appreciation,” Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported of the call.
The Chinese leader told Putin that the road to peace talks on Ukraine would not be smooth and that China would continue to uphold its “objective and fair stance” on the issue, according to CCTV.
“The Chinese side has noted that the Russian side has said it has never refused to resolve the conflict through diplomatic negotiations, and expressed its appreciation for this,” he was quoted as saying.
Xi, however, made clear the ideological affinity between Beijing and Moscow when it came to opposing what both view as the hegemonic US-led West.
“Facts have repeatedly proved that containment and suppression are unpopular, and sanctions and interference are doomed to failure,” Xi told Putin.
“China is ready to work with Russia and all progressive forces around the world that oppose hegemonism and power politics…and firmly defend the sovereignty, security and development interests of both countries and international justice.”
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In February, China promised a “no limits” partnership with Russia, which set off alarm bells in the West. Beijing has refused to criticise Moscow’s actions in Ukraine, blaming the United States and NATO for provoking the Kremlin. It has also blasted the sanctions imposed on Russia.
✓ The US State Department on Friday expressed concern over China’s alignment with Russia. “Beijing claims to be neutral, but its behaviour makes clear it is still investing in close ties to Russia,” a spokesperson said, adding Washington was “monitoring Beijing’s activity closely.”
Russia leading supplier of oil to China
Putin also said Russia has become one of China’s leading suppliers of oil and gas.
“Russia has become one of the leaders in oil exports to China”, with 13.8 billion cubic metres of gas shipped via the Power of Siberia pipeline in the first 11 months of 2022.
Russia overtook Saudi Arabia as China’s top crude supplier last month.
Putin added that Russia was China’s second-largest supplier of pipeline gas and fourth-largest of liquefied natural gas (LNG). He said in December, shipments had been 18 percent above daily contractual obligations.
Moscow’s energy exports to China have risen markedly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which started on February 24. Although Western countries imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia, China has refrained from condemning its military campaign, instead stressing the need for peace.
But Beijing has also been careful not to provide the sort of direct material support that could provoke Western sanctions against China.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said last month that his country’s energy exports to China had increased in value by 64 percent this year, and by 10 percent in volume.
Last week, Putin inaugurated a gas field in eastern Siberia that will allow Russia to increase its energy exports to China as the West seeks to cut its dependence on Moscow.
China and Russia have drawn closer in recent years as part of what they call a “no-limits” relationship acting as a counterweight to the global dominance of the United States."
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Xi reiterates China's objective stance on Ukraine in talks with Putin, urging continuous efforts for peace talks
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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday reiterated the country's "objective and just" stance on the Ukraine crisis in talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin via video link, urging Moscow to continue peace talks.
The road to peace talks won't be smooth sailing, yet with continuous efforts, the prospects of peace are there, Xi stressed, expressing appreciation that the Russian side has never refused to solve the conflict through diplomatic talks.
The Chinese president also vowed to work alongside the international community in playing a constructive role in solving the crisis peacefully.
Xi: China, Russia should strengthen strategic coordination
"In a changing and turbulent international environment, it is important that China and Russia remain true to the original aspiration of cooperation, maintain strategic focus, enhance strategic coordination, continue to be each other's development opportunity and global partner, and strive to bring more benefits to the two peoples and greater stability to the world," Xi told Putin.
According to the Chinese president, in the first 11 months of this year, two-way trade volume reached a record high.
President Xi stressed that the two sides need to make good use of the existing working mechanisms and communication channels to push for more progress in practical cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, energy, finance and agriculture, advance the development of border ports and other infrastructure of connectivity, and expand cooperation in both traditional and new energy.
The two sides need to leverage traditional strengths, further deepen people-to-people and cultural exchange, ensure another successful Year of Sports Exchange, and foster new brands of cultural exchange between the two countries, he added.
Noting that China has recently adapted its COVID-19 response measures in light of the evolving situation to better coordinate pandemic response and economic and social development, with the focus now on ensuring people's health and preventing severe cases, Xi said China stands ready to resume normal personnel exchange with Russia and all other countries in an orderly manner.
Xi expressed his pleasure at meeting Putin virtually at the year-end, which he said has become a good tradition between them.
Putin said it is a great pleasure to continue with the good tradition of the two countries and have a virtual meeting with Xi when the new year is around the corner, to take stock of progress in Russia-China relations this year and draw a blueprint for cooperation in the year ahead.
Amid the complex, grave international situation, Russia-China relations have maintained a sound momentum of growth, with steady progress in cooperation in such areas as energy, agriculture, transportation, infrastructure, sports and people-to-people exchange, Putin said
Russia-China relations have grown more resilient, mature and stable, and strategic coordination between the two countries has assumed greater significance, setting a fine example of major-country relations in the 21st century, he added.
The Russian president vowed that Russia firmly supports China's position on the Taiwan question and stays firmly committed to the one-China principle.
He also said that Russia looks forward to enhancing exchanges and contacts with China and actively advancing cooperation in various fields, adding as China optimizes its COVID-19 response measures, people-to-people and cultural exchange between the two countries will continue to expand.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin via video link in Beijing, China, December 30, 2022. /Xinhua
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin via video link in Beijing, China, December 30, 2022. /Xinhua
Xi: China, Russia should uphold international justice
President Xi emphasized that the world has now come to another historical crossroads. To revert to a cold war mentality, provoke division and antagonism, and stoke confrontation between blocs, or to act out of the common good of humanity to promote equality, mutual respect and win-win cooperation – the tug of war between these two trends is testing the wisdom of statesmen in major countries as well as the reason of the entire humanity, he stressed.
"Facts have repeatedly proven that containment and suppression is unpopular, and sanction and interference is doomed to fail," said Xi.
China stands ready to join hands with Russia and all other progressive forces around the world who oppose hegemony and power politics, to reject any unilateralism, protectionism and bullying, firmly safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of the two countries and uphold international fairness and justice, he noted.
Xi called on the two sides to maintain close coordination and collaboration in international affairs, uphold the authority of the United Nations and the status of international law, stand for true multilateralism, and fulfill their responsibilities as major countries and lead by example on such issues as protecting global food and energy security.
The two sides need to continue encouraging parties of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to enhance solidarity and mutual trust, show greater mutual support on issues concerning one another's core interests, and jointly resist interference and sabotage by external forces, he added.
Noting BRICS cooperation has seen multiple highlights, which speaks volumes about the appeal and bright prospect of BRICS, Xi said China will work with Russia to actively advance BRICS membership expansion to bolster the strength of BRICS countries, and uphold the common interests of emerging market countries and developing countries.
President Putin said Russia commends China for its objective and impartial stance in international affairs, and speaks highly of China's work during its BRICS chairmanship.
Russia stands ready to maintain close coordination with China at multilateral fora including the United Nations, the SCO, BRICS and the G20, jointly promote the building of a more just and reasonable international order, safeguard respective legitimate interests, and work together to uphold international fairness and justice, Putin added.
The two presidents also exchanged new year greetings, and wished the two peoples a happy new year and the two countries greater achievements in their development.
(With input from Xinhua)
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Putin invites Xi for state visit
"The Russian president has proposed that his Chinese counterpart visit Moscow next year. Vladimir Putin extended the invitation to Xi Jinping during a video call on Friday.
In his initial remarks, Putin noted that he and Xi had regular contacts, both in person and via calls.
“Intensive bilateral exchanges will continue next year. I am certain that you and I will find an opportunity to meet in person. We are expecting you…my dear friend, for a state visit in Moscow in the spring of next year,” he said.
Responding to the Russian president, Xi also called him a friend. He remarked that under their joint leadership “the comprehensive Chinese-Russian partnership and strategic cooperation in a new age demonstrates maturity and resilience to stress.”
Both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the rapid development of relations between the two nations, stating that it benefited the peoples of both China and Russia and helped create a better future for the world.
Putin and Xi met in person twice in 2022. In February, Putin visited Beijing during the Olympic games hosted by the Chinese capital. In September, they both participated in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Samarkand, Uzbekistan."
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