HONG KONG — Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting Russia next week to meet with President Vladimir Putin. This visit will highlight the deepening ties between both countries, as tensions increase with the United States.
Xi will visit Russia on Monday and Wednesday at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Friday. This is his first visit to Russia since the invasion and subsequent defeat of Ukraine. It comes as China attempts to be a mediator in the conflict, despite the doubts expressed by the U.S. and its allies.
At a regular briefing, spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated that President Xi would have an in-depth discussion with President Putin about bilateral relations and major international issues of mutual concern. “The bilateral relations will grow through the strategic coordination and practical cooperation of the two countries.”
The Kremlin also confirmed the visit.
It said that the two leaders would discuss key topics regarding the development of comprehensive cooperation and strategic cooperation between Russia, China and other countries.
It stated that a number “important bilateral documents” would also need to be signed.
According to reports, Xi’s Russia trip would be followed with a virtual meeting between Xi and the Ukrainian President Volodomyrzel Zelenskyy. This is the first time the Chinese leader has spoken to him since February last year.
Wang replied to a question regarding the reports, “We are in contact with all parties,”
China, which declared an “no limits partnership to Russia several weeks before the invasion, has attempted to present itself as neutral in this conflict. While it has not condemned Russia’s aggression, or called it an invasion of Ukraine, it has called for negotiations and urged the international community to refrain from violating international sanctions.
Last month, a 12-point proposal Beijing received a muted response from both Russia and Ukraine. However, it was quickly dismissed as being too favorable to Moscow by the West.
Wang stated that Xi’s trip to Russia was “for peaceful purposes.”
He stated, “We have always believed in political dialogue as the only way out from conflict.”
The United States warned China that it may send artillery to Russia in order to use its ammunition and artillery in the conflict. This would be a major shift in China’s approach. China denies these allegations. Wang stated on Friday that China has always maintained a responsible and prudent attitude toward military exports.
He said that China’s approach and position were consistent in stark contrast to some countries’ double standards on arms sales and their practice of adding fuel into the Ukraine crisis. This refers to the U.S. providing weapons to Ukraine.
On Thursday, Qin Gang , the new Chinese foreign minister, spoke out to his Ukrainian counterpart. He said that Beijing was worried that the conflict would spiral out of control, and that it wanted a political solution.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, he said that China has always maintained an objective and fair position regarding the Ukraine issue. He also called on the international community for peace negotiations and asked Dmytro Koleba to do so.
Kuleba also spoke to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday. stated via Twitter, that he and Qin had discussed the “significance of the principle of territorial integrity.” He also said that he stressed the importance of Zelenskyy’s peace plan.
Xi and Putin met previously in Uzbekistan last August on the sidelines a regional summit. Xi was invited by Putin to make a state-visit during a December videoconference. Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat laid the groundwork for the trip while he was in Moscow last Month.
Eric Baculinao and Jace Zhang contributed to this article.
