Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Moscow’s relationship with Beijing, calling it a “stabilising” force on the world stage ahead of talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Putin is set to visit China for a two-day visit, beginning on Tuesday.
Moscow and Beijing are currently seen as strong allies in challenging the United States’ domination and intervention in international affairs.
In an address ahead of the visit, he said Russia and China do not wish to align against any other country but would rather work together for “peace and universal prosperity”.
“It is in this spirit that Moscow and Beijing coordinate efforts to defend international law and the principles of the UN Charter in their entirety,” said President Putin in a speech aired by the state media.
He also added that Moscow and Beijing support cooperation “within the framework of the UN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS, and other multilateral platforms, making a significant contribution to addressing pressing global and regional issues”.
Putin said the ties have developed to an “unprecedented level” with both countries supporting each other on key matters such as the “protection of sovereignty and national unity”.
“Russia and China look confidently towards the future, actively developing cooperation in politics, economics, defence, expanding cultural exchanges, and fostering interpersonal interaction, in essence, jointly doing everything to deepen bilateral cooperation and advance global development for the wellbeing of both nations,” he said.
Putin is set to arrive in China on Tuesday evening, with an official meeting with Xi scheduled on Wednesday. This will be the second meeting between the two leaders in less than a year. The visit also marks the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation signed by both nations.
China had also hosted U.S President Donald Trump for a two-day summit with Xi in Beijing last week.
