Russian President Vladimir Putin is in Beijing to visit his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
On the first day of the two-day state visit, attended by top Russian defense and security officials, Putin called Russia “forever brothers” with China and Xi. He cited a song from the 1940s: saying “The event is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. There is a famous song from that time, it was created 75 years ago, but it is often sung today: it contains a phrase quite famous: 'Russians and Chinese are brothers forever'.
“I am sure that we will continue to strengthen the fraternal spirit of the harmonious Russian-Chinese partnership,” he stressed. In response, Xi touched on the theme of “old friend”, and was quoted by Xinhua as saying: “China is ready to work with Russia to remain a good neighbor, a good friend and a good partner.”
As expected, both men presented Russian-Chinese relations as a stabilizing force for the region around the world. Speaking at their joint press conference on Thursday, Xi said: “China is willing to… jointly realize the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries, and work together to uphold fairness and justice in the world”.
Without directly naming the United States, Xi said the two countries would grow closer and continue in the face of growing hegemony. XI also said it was not seeking to target a third party and expressed hope that the the war in Ukraine would be resolved peacefully.
An interesting area on which clear agreement has been rejection of foreign military blocs in the region. Putin condemned what he called “closed alliances in the region” – which appear to refer to the AUKUS pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
90% of all trade between Russia and China is now in rubles and yuan.
Dedollarization is not only possible, but is a strategic imperative. This saves money and protects sovereignty.
President Putin and President Xi Jinping in Beijing today. pic.twitter.com/Y5t1zP6LhC
– SL Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) May 16, 2024
Xi agreed, telling a news conference that “in today’s world, the Cold War mentality still rages. Unilateral hegemony, bloc confrontation and power politics pose a direct threat to the entire world and the security of all countries. »
The Chinese leader called for an “immediate” end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of a two-state solution and also addressed Ukraine: “China hopes for an early restoration of peace on the continent European and is ready to continue its constructive role.
He said this can happen through a “a new balanced, efficient and stable security architecture.” In the same vein, the two leaders issued a new joint statement that castigates the restrictions imposed by the West which “hinder the development of free trade, negatively affect global production and retail chains.”
Regarding the sanctions imposed by the United States, the statement said: “The parties condemn the brazen actions, undertaken by circumventing the UN Security Council, which violate the Charter of the United Nations and international law, which hinder the access to justice, as well as measures that contradict WTO rules.” “Russia and China resolutely oppose this,” he emphasizes.
Putin arrives in Beijing to meet Xi.
You'll notice that Xi and Putin are followed by officials carrying their countries' respective nuclear balloons.
Simple question of protocol? Or an intentional display of strength and unity? pic.twitter.com/cUuqzLFidf
– Clandestine (@WarClandestine) May 16, 2024
Both leaders once again upheld the Russian-Chinese relationship as fundamentally “based on multipolar realities and international law,” in a blow to the West that Putin and Xi have long viewed as hegemonic.
At one point, Putin also praised the two countries' efforts to circumvent the US dollar, saying that “our timely joint decision to ensure that transactions are carried out in national currencies has given a powerful impetus to the expansion of our flows commercial. Today, 90% of all payments are made in rubles and yuan.“.
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Remember that Blinken was just in Beijing earlier this month, and of course with relatively little fanfare on the red carpet. During his stay, he strongly warned against China's support for the Russian defense industrial sector, immediately after which new US sanctions were unveiled…
Three weeks after Tony Blinken went to Beijing and tried to intimidate China for supplying materials to support Russia's military-industrial production. pic.twitter.com/yjIJKTVVjF
-Michael Tracey (@mtracey) May 16, 2024
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