China’s new Premier Li Qiang calls for more ‘practical cooperation’ with Russia

Li’s call with Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin comes at a time when China’s growing closeness to Moscow is facing close scrutiny in the West

Call comes ahead of visit to Beijing by Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, who are expected to push China over its stance on Ukraine

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang was appointed to the role last month. Photo: AP

Published: 9:55pm, 4 Apr 2023Updated: 11:20pm, 4 Apr 2023

China’s Premier Li Qiang held a phone conversation with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Tuesday, calling on both sides to deepen “practical cooperation” amid close scrutiny in the West of Beijing’s tilt towards Moscow.

The phone call was the first of its kind after Li was appointed during the annual meeting of China’s top legislature last month and follows Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent trip to Russia, where he met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Xi and Putin hailed a “new era” in relation during their meeting in Moscow last month, where they discussed topics including bilateral cooperation and the Ukraine war.

The previous year the two signed a “no limits” partnership agreement just weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The government departments of the two countries should implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state well and promote the continuous new development of China-Russia practical cooperation,” Li said.

Tuesday’s call came on the eve of a joint visit by French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who are expected to press Xi over the Ukraine war.

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