Just nine days into his fifth term, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China on Thursday, where he and Chinese President Xi Jinping reinforced their strong bilateral ties and issued a firm rebuke to the United States.
In a joint statement, they denounced US attempts to alter the balance of power in Northeast Asia and criticized military threats from the US and its allies against North Korea.
The statement read, “The parties oppose the acts of military intimidation by the US and its allies that escalate confrontation with North Korea, which may lead to armed incidents and a rise in tensions on the Korean Peninsula,” according to the Russian news agency TASS.
Presidents Xi and Putin
This marked a step beyond their previous call for dialogue to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, issued after a summit in Moscow in March 2023.
Additionally, the statement highlighted the negative effects of the US’s Indo-Pacific strategy, likening it to NATO’s policies, which they view as destabilizing. Russia and China expressed their opposition to external intervention in the South China Sea and pledged continued military cooperation.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, both nations underscored the necessity of a political solution. “China and Russia believe that the Ukraine crisis must be resolved by political means,” Xi stated during a press conference.
“China hopes that peace and stability will return to the European continent soon and is ready to constructively contribute to making this happen.”
Economic cooperation was also a key focus of the summit. Putin praised China’s automotive manufacturing capabilities, emphasizing their success and competitive advantages.
“We wholeheartedly embrace collaboration with our Chinese counterparts in the automobile manufacturing sector, where they have demonstrated clear and undeniable successes and competitive advantages through fair competition,” Putin said. His comments appeared aimed at the US, which has criticized China for what it describes as “overcapacity.”
The summit underscored the strength of the Sino-Russian relationship. Xi highlighted China’s commitment to being a good neighbor, friend, and partner to Russia through mutual trust.
Putin responded by noting that their cooperation is not opportunistic and does not harm any third parties. This meeting highlighted the robust and strategic partnership between the two countries amongst growing tensions with the US and its allies.
