China and Russia Forge Closer Ties Amidst Global Tensions

Thursday 16 May 2024 - 07:33

Chinese President Xi Jinping extended a warm welcome to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Beijing on Thursday. This marked the beginning of a two-day state visit, emphasizing the deepening partnership between the two nations. Putin's visit, his first overseas trip since securing a new term as Russia's president, serves as a symbolic gesture of Xi's support for Putin and exemplifies the growing alignment between the two countries amidst mounting tensions with the West.

The event commenced with a military band serenade and a multiple-gun salute outside the Great Hall of the People, setting the stage for discussions expected to cover a range of topics, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, burgeoning trade and energy ties, and their shared vision for reshaping the global order.

During their talks on Thursday morning, Xi emphasized the resilience of China-Russia relations. He stated that they have "stood the test of a changing international landscape" and should be "cherished and nourished" by both sides. He further expressed China's readiness to work closely with Russia as "good neighbors, good friends, and good partners who trust each other." They will jointly pursue their respective national development and uphold fairness and justice globally.

In response, Putin hailed the countries' "practical cooperation," highlighting their record bilateral trade figures from the previous year and China's prominence as an economic partner for Russia. He identified energy, industry, and agriculture as key areas for future collaboration, revealing that discussions on these topics had already commenced.

The Beijing meeting, the fourth face-to-face encounter between Xi and Putin since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, comes amidst mounting international concerns over the direction of the war. The visit coincides with a surprise Russian offensive in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce the postponement of all upcoming international visits as his troops defend against the onslaught.

Simultaneously, the United States has reaffirmed its support for Ukraine, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently visiting Kyiv to pledge $2 billion in foreign military financing and expedite the delivery of much-needed ammunition and weapons to the front lines. However, delays in Congressional approval of American military aid to Ukraine have raised concerns.

Xi's welcome to Putin also occurs under pressure from the US and Europe to ensure that China's soaring exports to Russia since the start of the war are not propping up the Kremlin's war effort. White House officials have confronted Beijing over what they believe to be substantial support, in the form of goods like machine tools, drone and turbojet engines, and microelectronics, for Russia's defense industrial base. Beijing has vehemently denied these claims, asserting that they are engaging in "normal trade and economic exchanges" with Russia.

Beyond the war in Ukraine, discussions between Xi and Putin are expected to encompass their expanding trade, security, and energy ties, as well as the conflict in Gaza. Ahead of the trip, Putin praised the "unprecedented level of strategic partnership" between the countries and expressed his aim to "strengthen foreign policy coordination" and deepen cooperation in innovative sectors such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and outer space.

Both leaders view each other as indispensable partners in their converging vision to reshape a world order they perceive as dominated by the United States and seeking to contain their rise. They are anticipated to discuss Russia's hosting of the BRICS grouping later this year, a bloc positioned as an alternative to the Western-backed G7 and recently expanded to include more members, including US-hostile Iran.

Xi and Putin are also set to sign a number of bilateral agreements and celebrate 75 years of their diplomatic relations at a "gala event," according to Chinese state media. Beyond Beijing, Putin is expected to visit Harbin, the capital of China's northeastern Heilongjiang province bordering Russia's Far East. There, he will attend trade and cooperation forums and meet with students and faculty at the Harbin Institute of Technology, a university previously sanctioned by the US government for its alleged role in procuring items for China's military.

As the two nations forge closer ties amidst global tensions, the Beijing summit serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment to strengthening their partnership and shaping a new world order aligned with their shared interests and aspirations.