Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday that the relationship between Beijing and Moscow is "conducive to peace," expressing his willingness to deepen ties between the two countries, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. President Putin affirmed that the relationship between China and Russia is a factor of "stability" in the world.
The ministry added that Xi stated, "The relations between China and Russia not only serve the greater interests of both countries but are also conducive to peace," emphasizing his readiness to strengthen these ties.
It is noteworthy that Putin chose Beijing as his first foreign stop after his re-election. This visit comes in response to a similar trip made by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Russia last year.
Chinese state television reported that Xi met with Putin in Beijing. Footage aired by China Central Television (CCTV) showed the Chinese president warmly welcoming Putin outside the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing.
Xi confirmed that the relations between his country and Russia have withstood the test of the changing international situation and have become a benchmark for relations between major powers. He stated, "This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. During this time, Chinese-Russian relations have faced difficult conditions, withstanding the test of the changing international situation, and today represent a benchmark for relationships between major powers and neighboring countries, characterized by mutual respect, trust, friendship, and mutual benefit."
For his part, President Putin, during his meeting with Xi, affirmed that Moscow and Beijing have developed a solid foundation for practical cooperation and that China is Russia's main partner in trade and economic matter. He stressed that the relationship between China and Russia is a factor of "stability" in the world, according to Russian media reports.
Putin stated, "The relations between Russia and China are not opportunistic and are not directed against anyone. Our cooperation is a stabilizing factor on the international stage." He added, "Moscow and Beijing have accumulated a significant amount of practical cooperation," pointing to the approximately 25% rise in bilateral trade volume in 2023, reaching about 227 billion dollars.
Putin noted that last year's results indicated that Russia has risen to fourth place in the list of countries that partner with China in trade, and he addressed his Chinese counterpart: "Your visit to Moscow in March 2023 and the adoption of the development plan for key areas of Russian-Chinese economic cooperation until 2030 played a direct role in this matter."
The discussions between the Russian and Chinese leaders will cover the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Asia during the two-day talks.
Putin's visit to China will include two stops, with Beijing being the first, followed by a visit to Harbin in northern China.
According to Putin, Russia and China are jointly advocating for principles of justice and a democratic world order that reflects the reality of multipolarity and a global system based on international law. He added, "Russia and China successfully interact in the United Nations, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the G20."
Putin told his Chinese counterpart, "We are determined to enhance the coordination of integration processes in the Eurasian space to combine the potential of the Eurasian Economic Union with your initiative – my dear friend – the 'Belt and Road Initiative.'" He expressed hope that his current visit would provide additional momentum for the development of all aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
