China’s Premier Heads to Moscow, Strengthening Ties with Russia Amid Ukraine War
Chinese Premier Li Qiang is set to meet with Russian leaders in Moscow on Wednesday during a four-day trip to Russia and its ally Belarus, CNN reports.
The visit signals Beijing’s continued commitment to its close relationship with Moscow while Western nations criticize its support amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Li will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and hold talks on China-Russia cooperation and strategic ties with Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin, Russian state-run news agency Tass reported Wednesday.
Li hailed the two countries’ relations after his arrival at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport Tuesday, where he was greeted by Russian officials and an honor guard.
“China-Russia relations in the new era have shown new vigor and vitality, with stronger mutual political trust, fruitful cooperation in various fields, deeply rooted friendship, and close and effective international coordination,” Li said in a statement released upon his arrival, adding the visit was aimed at “deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.”
The premier’s visit – for a longstanding annual meeting with the Russian prime minister – is the first to Russia by a high-level Chinese official since a surprise military incursion by Ukrainian forces into the Russian border region of Kursk two weeks ago.
Last week, in response to a media inquiry on the situation, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry called on “all parties” not to expand the battlefield, escalate fighting and “fuel the flame,” saying China would continue to work for a “political settlement of the crisis.”
Wednesday’s meeting between Li and Mishustin is part of annual talks held since 1996, which are seen as a means to implement practical cooperation in the direction set by Xi and Putin. The two officials are expected to discuss the countries’ “comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction,” including in trade and economy, according to Tass.
Trade between China and Russia hit record highs last year, surpassing a target of $240 billion ahead of schedule. Russia has grown hugely reliant on China’s market, goods and investment since it was slapped with broad international sanctions following its Ukraine invasion.
Bilateral trade increased by more than a quarter year-on-year in 2023 from 2022, but has only grown about 1.6% between January and July this year over the same period last year, according to China’s customs data.
Li’s trip will conclude in Belarus, where he is scheduled to meet with his Belarusian counterpart Roman Golovchenko for an “in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields,” according to China’s Foreign Ministry.
