China’s top lawmaker praises ‘resilience’ of Russia’s sanctions-hit economy

Beijing’s No 3 official, Li Zhanshu, is in Vladivostok to attend the Eastern Economic Forum, the first stop on an 11-day tour

The most senior Chinese leader to travel abroad since the pandemic began, Li also met President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s No 3 official, Li Zhanshu, arrive for the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Wednesday. Photo: Tass via AP

Published: 10:00pm, 7 Sep 2022Updated: 12:05am, 8 Sep 2022

China’s top lawmaker Li Zhanshu arrived in Vladivostok on Wednesday, becoming the most senior Chinese official to set foot outside the country since the pandemic began.

Beijing’s No 3 official met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum, which is held annually in the city in Russia’s Far East to encourage foreign investment in the region.

The coronavirus pandemic has put the Chinese leadership on high alert for nearly three years – of the 25 Politburo officials, only top diplomat Yang Jiechi has travelled abroad during this time.

Li’s trip also comes amid concern in the West about China and Russia moving closer and forming an anti-Western alliance over issues including Moscow’s war in Ukraine, Taiwan, Xinjiang and sanctions against the two countries.

During their meeting, Putin told Li that he attached importance to the contributions of leaders from the two countries to further bilateral ties and thanked China for its support of Russia, according to the official video stream.

Li thanked Putin for his message of condolence over the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Sichuan province on Monday, killing at least 74 people. Li also said cooperation between China and Russia was stronger under the “strategic wisdom” of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin.

“The political trust, strategic coordination and pragmatic cooperation between the two countries have reached new heights,” Li said, before the live stream ended.