BEIJING/MOSCOW. China’s President Xi Jinping and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin pledged to forge a “new era” of partnership on Thursday, positioning themselves as a counterbalance to the United States, which they criticized as an aggressive Cold War hegemon creating global instability.
Xi welcomed Putin with a red carpet ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, featuring a 21-gun salute in Tiananmen Square, marching soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army, and children waving Chinese and Russian flags.
In their joint statement, Xi and Putin reaffirmed a “no limits” partnership, first declared in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing just days before launching a military incursion into Ukraine. This conflict has since become the deadliest land war in Europe since World War II.
“The China-Russia relationship today is hard-earned, and the two sides need to cherish and nurture it,” Xi told Putin. “China is willing to… jointly achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries, and work together to uphold fairness and justice in the world.”
The leaders’ joint statement outlined a unified stance against the U.S. on various security issues, covering topics from Taiwan and Ukraine to North Korea. It also highlighted cooperation on peaceful nuclear technologies and financial matters.
Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, head of the DDF, emphasized the need for cautious assessment of such events, warning that they might be fraudulent and exploited for “profit, power, fame, social recognition, or other personal interest.”
“The United States still thinks in terms of the Cold War and is guided by the logic of bloc confrontation, putting the security of ‘narrow groups’ above regional security and stability, which creates a security threat for all countries in the region,” the statement read. “The U.S. must abandon this behavior.”
Washington views China as its primary competitor and Russia as its biggest state threat. The U.S. administration has criticized both nations’ leaders, with President Biden referring to Xi as a “dictator” and Putin as a “killer” and a “crazy SOB.” Both Beijing and Moscow have condemned Biden’s remarks.
Putin’s visit, his first foreign trip since starting a new six-year term, underscores the importance of his relationship with Xi. The joint statement also indicated plans to enhance military cooperation and defense sector collaboration, purportedly to improve regional and global security.
The U.S. State Department responded with Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel saying, “China cannot have its cake and eat it too” by supporting Moscow while seeking better relations with Europe. Patel called Beijing’s assistance in rebuilding Russia’s defense industrial base “deeply problematic.”
Following severe Western sanctions on Russia due to the Ukraine war, Putin has increasingly turned towards China, which has become Russia’s primary ally and top buyer of crude oil. Despite this, some Russian elites are concerned about the country’s growing dependency on China, reminiscent of the 1969 border conflict between the Soviet Union and China.
During the visit, Xi and Putin agreed that a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis was essential. Putin expressed gratitude to China for its efforts to mediate the conflict and noted that he would brief Xi on the current situation in Ukraine.
Describing his talks with Xi as “warm and comradely,” Putin highlighted various sectors where the two nations are strengthening ties, including nuclear energy, food supplies, and Chinese car manufacturing in Russia.
Putin’s delegation notably lacked Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller, who was in talks with Iranian officials. The visit will also feature a gala celebrating 75 years since the Soviet Union recognized the People’s Republic of China, established by Mao Zedong in 1949.
It remains unclear if Putin will make additional stops in Asia during this trip.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
