(CNN) China’s top diplomat Wang Yi said on Wednesday that he expects to reach a “new consensus” on boosting bilateral ties with Russia during his visit to Moscow just days before the first anniversary of the Kremlin’s all-out invasion of Ukraine.
“Today I would like to continue exchanging views with you, my old friend, on strengthening our mutual relationship, and I believe we will definitely reach a new consensus,” Wang told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting on Wednesday.
“No matter how the international situation changes, China has been and remains ready to maintain the positive trend with Russia in building a new type of cooperative relationship between major powers.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wang is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin later in the day.
Wang, who was congratulated by Lavrov on his recent promotion to the position of chief foreign policy adviser to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, said he would strive to “strengthen and deepen Sino-Russian friendship” no matter what.
Under the leadership of Xi and Putin, the two countries have maintained their strategic resolve, Wang said, and — in an apparent dig at the United States — “resolutely oppose any unilateral behavior or bullying, and unswervingly safeguard their sovereignty, security, safety and development interests.”
On Tuesday, Wang told Nikolai Patrushev, the head of Russia’s Security Council and one of Putin’s closest allies, that Beijing’s relations with Moscow are “as solid as a rock.”
“China-Russia relations are mature and solid as a rock, and will stand the test of the changing international situation,” Wang was quoted by the Russian news agency Sputnik as saying.
“We are willing, with the Russian side, in accordance with high-level agreements, to resolutely defend national interests and dignity, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields,” Wang said.
Patrushev told Wang that China and Russia must stick together in the face of increasing pressure from the West, citing what he falsely described as “the bloody events unleashed by the West in Ukraine” as an example.
Russia has repeatedly accused the West of inciting war in Ukraine, while trying to deny its responsibility for the deaths of tens of thousands of people — and Beijing has parroted the messages, blaming Moscow’s unprovoked invasion on the United States and its NATO allies. allies.
“In the context of the collective West’s campaign to contain Russia and China, deepening Russian-Chinese coordination and interaction in the international arena bears special significance,” Sputnik quoted Patrushev as saying.
Patrushev also said that Russia and China should strive to create a “more just” new world order, one that challenges the unipolar hegemony of the collective West, according to Sputnik.
a Read China’s foreign ministry said the two officials agreed to oppose “Cold War mentality, confront bloc and ideological opposition” — a somewhat veiled criticism of the United States — and do more to “improve global governance,” an apparent reference to Beijing. and Moscow’s ambitions to reshape the world order in its favour.
The statement added that Wang and Patrushev “also exchanged their views” on the Ukraine issue, without elaborating.
It is widely believed that Wang’s high-level visit is a prelude to a meeting between Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. In December 2022, Putin and Xi held a virtual meeting, in which the Russian leader described the relations between the two countries as “the best in history,” saying that they could “withstand all tests,” and invited them to visit Moscow in the spring of 2023.
On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the two leaders would meet in the “coming months,” citing people familiar with the plan. The Wall Street Journal reported that arrangements for the trip are in an “early stage” and the timing has not been finalized, adding that the trip could be in April or early May.
Concerns about the role of China
Wang’s visit follows the US president Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Monday, in a show of support for the embattled country, which Washington and its European allies have rallied together to support over the past year through military and humanitarian aid, and economic sanctions against Russia.
Wang arrived in Moscow a few days later US officials He made public his concerns about how China’s continued partnership with Russia could have an impact on the war in Ukraine — and hours after Putin delivered a major speech about the conflict, he announced plans Suspension of Russia’s involvement In the last remaining nuclear weapons treaty with the United States.
The Chinese leadership claimed neutrality in the conflict but instead refused to condemn the Russian invasion Expanding business relations the continuation of large-scale joint military exercises, Including this week.
But during his engagements in European cities in recent days, Wang has tried to present China as a pacifist and negotiator, saying at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) on Saturday that Beijing will state its position on the issue. “political settlement” from the crisis.
These statements were met with skepticism from many Western leaders who closely monitor any support China gives to its northern neighbor, especially amid Fears That Beijing is considering providing lethal military aid to Russia.
On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang reiterated Beijing’s messages on Ukraine at a security forum in the Chinese capital. He said China is “very concerned” that the conflict will “spin out of control”, and will continue to urge peace talks and provide “Chinese wisdom” for a political settlement.
“At the same time, we urge the relevant countries to immediately stop pouring fuel on the fire, stop blaming China, stop exaggerating Ukrainian rhetoric today, and Taiwan tomorrow,” he said, clearly referring to the United States and the United States. its allies.
CNN’s Anna Chernova contributed to this report
“Internet practitioner. Social media maven. Certified zombieaholic. Lifelong communicator.”