HONG KONG – Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Russia early next week for talks with President Vladimir Putin, a trip that will show the two countries growing closer amid rising tensions with the United States.
China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Xi would make a state visit to Moscow from Monday to Wednesday at Putin’s invitation. It is his first visit to Russia since last year’s invasion of Ukraine, and China has been trying to position itself as a mediator in the conflict despite skepticism from the US and its allies.
“During the visit, President Xi will have an in-depth exchange of views with President Putin on bilateral relations and key international regional issues of mutual interest,” spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular briefing. “Strategic coordination and practical cooperation between the two countries will contribute to the development of bilateral relations.”
The visit was also confirmed by the Kremlin.
“The two leaders will discuss key topics related to the further development of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China,” the statement said.
it said many “Important bilateral documents” will also be signed.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not confirm reports that Xi’s trip to Russia would be followed by a virtual meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with whom the Chinese leader had not spoken before the war broke out last February.
Responding to a question about the report, Wang said, “We are in contact with all parties.”
China, which declared a “no borders” partnership with Russia weeks before the invasion of Ukraine, has tried to project itself as neutral in the conflict. It has refrained from condemning Russia’s aggression or even calling it an invasion, while calling for dialogue and taking precautions to avoid violating international sanctions.
A 12-point peace proposal issued by Beijing last month drew sharp reactions in both Ukraine and Russia, with the West quickly dismissing it as favorable to Moscow.
Wang said Xi’s visit to Russia was “for peace”.
“We have always believed that political dialogue is the only way out of the conflict,” he said.
The United States has been warning that China may consider sending artillery and ammunition to Russia for use in the conflict, which would represent a significant shift in its approach. Beijing denies the allegations, with Wang saying Friday that China has always taken a “prudent and responsible attitude” toward military exports.
In sharp contrast to the double standards of some countries on arms sales and the practice of adding fuel to the fire in the Ukraine crisis, China’s position and approach have been consistent. US and others.
In a rare call Thursday with his Ukrainian counterpart, China’s new foreign minister Qin Gang said Beijing was worried the conflict could spiral out of control and hoped for a political solution.
“China has always adhered to an objective and fair position on the Ukraine issue, is committed to encouraging peace talks, and calls on the international community to create conditions for peace talks,” he told Dmytro Kuleba, Chinese According to a readout by the Foreign Ministry.
Kuleba, who also spoke with Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier Thursday, said on twitter that he and Qin had “discussed the importance of the principle of territorial integrity.” He said he also underlined the importance of Zelensky to his peace plan.
Xi and Putin previously met on the sidelines of a regional summit in Uzbekistan last September. Putin invited Xi to make a state visit during a videoconference in December, and China’s top diplomat Wang Yi laid further groundwork for the visit when he was in Moscow last month.
Eric Bakulinao, Jess Zhang And John Joe Regan Contribution,
