diplomacy
Xi Jinping ends state visit to Moscow
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin show folders containing the new agreements during a signing ceremony. photo
© Vladimir Astapkovich/Sputnik Kremlin Pool via AP/dpa
China’s head of state Xi and Kremlin chief Putin demonstrated in Moscow for three days to close ranks. Several agreements are intended to strengthen cooperation by 2030.
China’s party and head of state Xi Jinping has ended his state visit to Russia after three days. The 69-year-old boarded his plane at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport on Wednesday. A military orchestra played. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Tschernyschenko accompanied the guest of state on the red carpet. Xi waved a friendly farewell to his hosts. During the first foreign visit since his re-election, the two nuclear powers China and Russia agreed on an even closer strategic partnership.
On Tuesday, Xi and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin signed far-reaching agreements on their cooperation until 2030. The main focus was on a stronger economic partnership. Under pressure from Western sanctions over the war against Ukraine, Russia is to receive more electrical engineering from China. China’s energy-hungry economy is set to get more gas and oil at cheap prices. To weaken the US dollar, payment transactions between the two countries and with other trading partners are to be further switched to yuan and rubles.
Invitation to Beijing
In Russia’s war against Ukraine, Xi demonstratively sided with the Russian president. At the same time he promoted negotiations. The arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Putin for war crimes was not discussed publicly. Rather, Xi invited Putin to a return visit to Beijing.
State media in Moscow also showed the farewell of the two heads of state on Tuesday evening after a large banquet. Accordingly, Xi said the world is seeing changes like they have not been in 100 years. You will get through this together. “Agreed,” Putin replied. “Take care of yourself, dear friend,” Xi said, according to the Russian translation.
China is considered a close ally of Russia. Beijing has not condemned his war of aggression against Ukraine. At the same time, China has positioned itself as a mediator. The West fears that China could supply arms to the neighboring country. Regarding speculation about a possible talk between the Chinese and the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Moscow had repeatedly stated that, according to Russian knowledge, this was not planned.