Putin expected in Beijing on Thursday
Published: Tuesday, May 14th 2024, 10:40
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After the start of his fifth term in office, Russian President Vladimir Putin travels to China for his first foreign visit.
The Kremlin leader is expected to arrive in Beijing on Thursday, May 16, at the invitation of State and Party leader Xi Jinping, China's state news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday. The visit will last until Friday (May 17).
The fact that China is Putin's first foreign destination underlines the close relationship between the two nuclear powers and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. The Kremlin also confirmed the state visit. According to the statement, the entire complex of bilateral partnership and international policy issues will be discussed.
According to information from Moscow, the talks will be followed by the publication of a joint declaration and the signing of several agreements. Putin and Xi will also take part in a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Kremlin press service announced.
While the West has condemned Moscow's war of aggression against Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Russia, China has adopted a neutral stance towards the outside world. Beijing is thus backing its long-standing partner.
The Chinese have not yet agreed to participate in the upcoming Swiss peace conference, at which Russia will not be sitting at the table. Beijing does support a peace solution within the framework of a conference. However, from the Chinese point of view, this must meet the demands of both warring parties, which is probably unrealistic at present.
Putin's last state visit to China was almost six years ago. In June 2018, the Russian traveled to the Chinese capital as well as to the nearby industrial city of Tianjin and the east coast city of Qingdao.
Putin last traveled to Beijing in October for the Belt and Road Forum, an international meeting of countries that are part of China's "New Silk Road" infrastructure and investment initiative. Xi greeted him as an "old friend" at a meeting on the sidelines of the forum.
Beijing and Moscow regularly praise their good cooperation. China sources raw materials from Russia, while Chinese car brands export their vehicles to the neighboring country. According to the Kremlin, Putin also wants to visit a Russian-Chinese trade fair in the northern city of Harbin. According to Chinese figures, foreign trade between the two sides reached 240 billion US dollars last year.
Western countries such as the USA accuse Chinese companies of supplying goods to Russia that can be used for civilian and military purposes, thereby supporting Moscow's defense industry. Some companies have already landed on Washington's sanctions lists.
Beijing accuses the US government of trying to hinder the development of the world's second-largest economy and rejects external interference in its relations with Russia.
©Keystone/SDA
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