Chinese President Xi Jinping will go to Russia subsequent week, Beijing’s international ministry mentioned Friday, his first journey to Moscow in practically 4 years.
“At the invitation of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia from March 20 to 22,” the ministry mentioned in a press release.
Xi final visited Russia in 2019, although Putin attended the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing final 12 months and the 2 leaders additionally met at a regional safety gathering in Uzbekistan in September.
The pair will speak about “strategic cooperation”, in response to a near-simultaneous assertion from the Kremlin.
The two leaders “will discuss deepening the exhaustive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China”, together with on the worldwide stage, the Kremlin mentioned, including, “important bilateral documents will be signed”.
The go to will come simply over a 12 months into Moscow’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
China has sought to painting itself as a impartial get together within the battle, however its place has been criticised by some Western leaders as missing credibility and offering tacit help for Moscow.
In a 12-point place paper on the conflict printed final month, China referred to as for dialogue and respect for all international locations’ territorial sovereignty.
China and Russia are additionally strategic allies, with each side steadily touting what they name a “no limits” partnership.
Beijing’s international ministry didn’t affirm whether or not Xi additionally deliberate to carry a rumoured name with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky when requested at a routine press convention on Friday.
China’s international minister on Thursday urged Kyiv and Moscow to restart peace talks “as soon as possible”, whereas Kyiv mentioned the decision additionally raised the significance of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Beijing “hopes that all parties will keep calm, exercise restraint, resume peace talks as soon as possible and return to the track of political settlement”, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang advised his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in a cellphone name. —Agence France-Presse
Source: www.gmanetwork.com