BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed Beijing’s unwavering support for Russia’s “core interests” during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Wednesday.
The meeting marked a significant development in the growing economic and diplomatic cooperation between China and Russia, particularly following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Despite China’s official stance of neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, the two countries have strengthened their ties in recent years.
Xi assured Mishustin of continued support on matters related to their respective core interests and emphasized the need to enhance collaboration in multilateral arenas, according to a statement by the official Xinhua news agency.
During the visit, Mishustin also held discussions with Premier Li Qiang, who emphasized the unprecedented level of the “comprehensive strategic cooperative collaboration” between China and Russia in the new era.
Both leaders highlighted the mutual respect for each other’s interests and their shared commitment to addressing challenges in the face of increased turbulence in the international arena and illegitimate sanctions imposed by Western countries.
Trade relations between China and Russia have flourished, with China being Russia’s largest trading partner. Bilateral trade reached a record high of $190 billion in 2022, as reported by Chinese customs data.
Premier Li noted that trade had already surpassed $70 billion so far this year, representing a year-on-year increase of over 40%. Additionally, strategic large-scale projects and investments between the two countries continue to progress steadily.
Agreement Between China and Russia
The meetings between Chinese and Russian officials resulted in the signing of various agreements, focusing on service trade cooperation, sports, patents, and Russian millet exports to China.
The visit highlighted the deepening economic and energy ties, with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stating that Russian energy supplies to China would increase by 40% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
While analysts suggest that China holds the upper hand in the China-Russia relationship, due to Moscow’s increasing international isolation, both countries share a sense of grievances and insecurities regarding Western leadership in the international system.
The leaders of China and Russia aim to secure greater deference for their countries on issues concerning their own interests.
During their summit in Moscow, Xi extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Beijing, further cementing the growing ties between the two nations.
