News / Foreign Policy / China / Russia

Chinese, Russian leaders vow stronger relations amid US, Western hostilities

Tuesday, 21 March 2023 6:29 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 21 March 2023 9:52 PM ]

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare for talks at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow. (Photo via AP)

China and Russia have agreed to expand trade, energy and political relations amid the West’s increasingly adversarial approach over the war in Ukraine.

Moscow and Bejing also said the United States is "undermining" global security, according to a declaration signed by President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday.

"The parties call on the United States to stop undermining international and regional security and global strategic stability in order to secure its unilateral military advantage," Russia and China said in the declaration.

Putin said on Tuesday he was “convinced that our multi-level mutually beneficial cooperation will continue to grow stronger.”

The Russian president also said the two leaders had “discussed in detail all the today’s set of issues of bilateral cooperation, current international and regional problems.”

“During the talks in narrow format, which have just finished, we've had a rather fulfilling and honest exchange of opinions on further development of the Russian-Chinese ties and strengthening of cooperation on world's affairs,” Putin said.

The Russian leader said Moscow could meet Beijing’s “growing demand” for energy resources. Putin said Russia was ready to help Chinese businesses replace Western firms.

Putin also said he had discussed with the Chinese leader the proposed Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, which would ship Russian gas to China.

President Xi said of the talks in Moscow that he had “open and friendly” discussions with the Russian head of state.

"The early harvest of (our) cooperation can be seen, and further cooperation is being advanced," Xi told Putin, according to Hong Kong cable television.

The two leaders also discussed China’s peace plan for Ukraine. China’s media said Xi and Putin underscored “responsible dialogue” as the best way to resolve the crisis.

While strengthening relations with Russia, China has released a broad 12-point proposal to end the war in Ukraine. Beijing has repeatedly dismissed Western accusations that it is planning to arm Russia, saying, however, that it wants a closer energy partnership after boosting imports of Russian coal, gas and oil.

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