Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in China for a two-day state visit, seeking to further deepen ties between the two countries, which have grown closer since Moscow invaded Ukraine more than two years ago.
The visit comes days after Russia launched a new offensive in the Kharkov region of northeastern Ukraine, a 1,000-kilometre (600-km) stretch where Kiev forces are being held back by delays in the delivery of arms and ammunition from the United States. Miles) insist on advancing to the front. .
Broadcast live on state television, Putin’s motorcade of about 20 cars, led by a convoy of motorcycles in ceremonial white uniforms, arrived at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People at around 11 a.m. (3 p.m. Japan time). and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
After walking a red carpet to inspect the troops in a welcoming ceremony that lasted nearly 30 minutes, the two listened to their respective national anthems to the accompaniment of a grand gun salute. A group of children lined up next to the orchestra jumped and cheered as Putin and Xi passed by.
In a subsequent meeting, Xi greeted Putin as an “old friend” and said the relationship between China and Russia has withstood the test of time, and the two countries have provided “strategic guidance” to each other in more than 40 meetings, the Russian president said. told. Past 10 years.
State news agency Xinhua reported that Xi said, “China is ready to cooperate with Russia to continue to be each other’s good neighbors, friends and good partners.” According to Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency, the two will continue their discussion while drinking tea and taking a walk in the park.
Putin and Xi declared an “unrestricted” partnership in February 2022, days before Putin sent troops to Ukraine. When President Xi visited Moscow in March 2023, he spoke of a “new era” in bilateral relations in October while President Putin was still in office. Last time in Beijing, President Xi spoke of the “deep friendship” between the two.
Ahead of the visit, Putin, 71, said his choice of China as his first foreign destination since assuming office for his fifth term underlines the “unprecedented high level of strategic partnership” between the two countries. He said it was a thing. He is close friends with Mr. Xi, who is 70 years old.
“We will strive to establish close cooperation in industry and high technology, space and peaceful nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy sources and other innovative fields,” Putin told China’s state news agency Xinhua. Stated.
The two leaders will participate in a night of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s recognition of the People’s Republic of China, proclaimed by Mao Zedong following the communist victory in the 1949 Chinese Civil War.
President Putin will also visit Harbin in northeastern China, which has deep ties with Russia.
In an interview with Xinhua, Putin also appeared to support the 12-point Ukraine peace plan that Beijing announced to a lukewarm reception on the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2023.
He said the proposal could serve as a basis for discussion and that the Russian government was “open to dialogue on Ukraine.” He reiterated Russia’s long-standing position that “negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including our country.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said any negotiations would include restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity, withdrawing Russian troops from all of Ukraine, releasing all prisoners of war, holding a tribunal against those responsible for the invasion, and securing Ukraine’s security. said that it must be done.
Switzerland will convene a Ukraine peace summit focused on the Kyiv framework next June. At least 50 delegations have already agreed to attend, but Russia has not been invited.
China claims neutrality in the conflict but has not accused Moscow of invading the sovereign state.
Russia is “useful” to China
The Kremlin said in a statement that during this week’s meeting, Putin and Xi Jinping “discussed in detail all issues related to comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation” and “determined new directions for the further development of cooperation between Russia and Russia.” determines gender.” And China. ”
Both countries have made it clear that they want to rebuild the international order in line with their visions of what the world should be.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a speech on Tuesday that Russia and China play an “important balancing role in world affairs” and insisted that Putin’s visit would “strengthen our joint work.”
Both countries are members of the UN Security Council with veto power, along with the US, UK and France.
“Russia’s ‘usefulness’ as an endless friend to China and Xi Jinping should not be underestimated,” Sari Arho Havren, an associate researcher at the Royal Integrated Services Institute (RUSI) think tank, told Al Jazeera in an email. He spoke at “Russia is a valuable partner in replacing the United States and changing the world order in favor of China and Russia alike. Russia also considers Taiwan to be an integral part of China, and is concerned about war scenarios in the Indo-Pacific, There is already speculation about whether Russia will support and join China in a possible war effort.
Moscow has increasingly close ties with Beijing, redirecting most of its energy exports to China and importing high-tech parts for the military industry from Chinese companies amid Western sanctions.
The two countries have also deepened military ties, holding joint military exercises in the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea, and organizing training of ground forces within each other’s territory.
As China prepares for the May 20 inauguration ceremony of William Lai Chingde, who was elected president in January’s presidential election, China is stepping up military activities around autonomous Taiwan.
China claims this territory as its own and has not ruled out using force to achieve its goals.
With reporting by Erin Hale in Taipei
