Free to read: Xi and Putin Agree to Further Deepen Economic and Military Ties During State Visit
China and Russia commit to maintaining close high-level and civilian exchanges while seeking new channels of cooperation
Putin’s visit to China marks his first overseas trip since being elected to a fifth presidential term in March
President Xi Jinping joined his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Beijing on Thursday, in a high-profile meeting at which the two countries announced a further deepening of ties.
China and Russia will promote an “all-round development” of their “comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era,” by maintaining close high-level and civilian exchanges while seeking new channels of cooperation, according to a joint statement released by Chinese state media.
The two countries will expand military collaboration, including the scale of joint exercise and training activities, while improving the “capacity and capability of the two sides to jointly respond to risks and challenges,” the statement said.
They also agreed to deepen economic cooperation, such as raising investment levels, reinforcing energy collaboration and increasing the share of local currency in bilateral trade and financing.
Amid heightened global tensions, Xi and Putin called for an end to “confrontational policies” and the “stirring up of regional conflicts,” the statement said, citing the U.S. “small yard, high fence” strategy, under which strict restrictions are placed on a small number of technologies with military potential while normal economic relations are maintained.
“The two sides oppose the cobbling together of closed and exclusive blocs in Asia and the Pacific regions, especially military alliances against any third party,” it added, noting that the U.S.’ Indo-Pacific Strategy and certain NATO attempts have cast a negative impact on peace and stability in the region.
While the Ukrainian crisis has continued for two years, Xi and Putin noted the importance of “halting all actions” that escalate the conflict and the need to avoid the crisis spiraling out of control. Russia welcomes Beijing playing a constructive role in the diplomatic settlement, according to the joint statement.
First overseas trip since election
Putin’s visit marks his first overseas trip since being elected to a fifth presidential term in March. He has made nearly two dozen visits to China and met with Xi on 40 occasions.
During their meeting in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Thursday, Putin addressed the Chinese president as “my dear friend” while Xi called him “my old friend,” according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV and a Kremlin statement.
Xi called on both sides to strengthen communication in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), to “demonstrate international commitment and promote the establishment of a fair and rational global governance system,” according to a foreign ministry statement.
China takes the SCO rotating chair this year while Russia hosts the 2024 BRICS Summit in October — at which the two countries will support each other’s presidency while strengthening the “global South,” Xi said in the statement.
In response, Putin expressed willingness to work closely with Beijing on strategic cooperation while promoting “the process of multipolarization of the world and democratization of international relations,” the statement added.
“Our cooperation in global affairs is one of the main stabilizing factors on the international stage,” Putin said in his opening remarks, according to the Kremlin statement, stating Beijing-Moscow relations are not opportunistic or directed against third parties.
Putin’s Russian delegation consists of six deputy prime ministers, who will discuss trade and economic cooperation, investment, energy and humanitarian affairs with their Chinese counterparts, according to Russia’s Tass news agency reports, citing Russian presidential aide for international affairs Yury Ushakov.
Russia’s newly minted Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and his predecessor Sergei Shoigu, now the Secretary of the National Security Council, are in the entourage as well as other officials including its foreign minister, central bank governor and finance minister.
Heads of state corporations in the military, railway, atomic energy and space sectors and more than a dozen business representatives will also take part in talks, Tass said.
Putin is also expected to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang, during his two-day state visit, as well as traveling to Harbin, capital of Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, which borders Russia, for the opening ceremony of the 8th Russia-China Expo.
On Thursday Putin and Xi also attended a concert commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Russia.
The Ukraine issue
In a written interview with China’s state-owned Xinhua News Agency published on the eve of his visit, Putin noted that relations between Beijing and Moscow “have reached the highest level ever” and continue to get stronger despite the difficult global situation.
Regarding the Ukraine crisis, he said that he seeks “a comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement of this conflict through peaceful means.”
He added: “We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours.”
A Summit on Peace in Ukraine will be held in Switzerland mid-June, aiming to develop a “common understanding of a path towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.” The event has invited more than 160 delegations from around the world, although Russia is not one of them at this stage.
The Swiss government noted that “Russia has said repeatedly … that it has no interest in participating in this first Summit,” but also said “a peace process without Russia is unthinkable.”
Beijing expressed its support for the convening of a global peace conference that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in April during a meeting with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Beijing.
Since May 2023, Beijing has sent peace envoy Li Hui to Europe for two rounds of mediation aimed at facilitating a political settlement to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In the Xinhua interview, Putin commended China’s approaches to resolving the crisis, including a 12-point peace proposal issued in February 2023 and four principles mentioned by Xi in April, calling the steps “practicable and constructive.”