Russia and China once again demonstrate closeness and promise to strengthen cooperation

Another proof of the connection between the two countries. Beijing and Moscow have stepped up their economic, diplomatic and military cooperation in recent years, with their “strategic partnership” strengthened following the invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022. China and Russia promised Beijing on Tuesday to strengthen their cooperation, the head said. The meeting of Russian diplomat Sergei Lavrov with President Xi Jinping is a new sign of rapprochement.

For his part, the Chinese statesman noted that his country attaches “great importance” to Sino-Russian relations and is ready to “work closely with Russia” to strengthen bilateral contacts and coordination in the international arena, Chinese state television CCTV reported.

Xi Jinping also assured that he and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin “agreed to maintain close contacts” to ensure the stable development of bilateral relations. He also called on Beijing and Moscow to “unite the countries of the Global South,” which includes countries in South America and Africa, and to “promote reform of global governance.”

China and Russia have drawn closer together over a shared condemnation of what they see as Western hegemony on the international stage.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had already promised his Russian counterpart that “China will support Russia’s stable development under the leadership of (Vladimir) Putin.”

Unbalanced but necessary cooperation for Russia, according to analysts

However, according to many analysts, China, thanks to its economic and diplomatic power, has superiority over Russia, which is isolated by the West.

Despite this asymmetry, Beijing’s support allows Moscow to “continue the war by providing what is needed for the Russian war machine,” Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Eurasia Center in Russia, told AFP.

“Integrating Russian economics, brainpower and military technology into a China-led order with Eurasia at its geographic center is the only way for Russia to remain confrontational with the West,” he wrote this week in Foreign Policy magazine.

Criticism of Western sanctions

During a joint press conference with Wang Yi following bilateral talks, Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday condemned Western “illegal sanctions” against his country.

“These policies are also actively used against (China)” to hinder its “economic and technological development opportunities” and “eliminate competitors,” he charged.

China and Russia on the world stage

“China will always play a constructive role in the international arena and in multilateral affairs, never adding fuel to the fire, let alone taking advantage of it,” the Chinese Foreign Minister assured.

“As permanent members of the UN Security Council and new great powers, China and Russia must stand firmly on the side of historical progress, fairness and justice,” he told the press, before declaring that “we must oppose any hegemony, tyranny or intimidation. “Cold War” mentality and any incitement to division and confrontation.”

Beijing calls for respect for the territorial integrity of all states, including Ukraine, but has never publicly condemned Moscow for the military operation.