Editorial | China-Russia ‘priority’ partnership gives West reason to rethink its approach
- Beijing red-carpet welcome by President Xi Jinping for his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, reflects how nations have been drawn together by actions of others
Russia’s president chose de facto ally China for his first visit abroad during a new term of office. Measured by pomp and ceremony, Beijing’s welcome for Vladimir Putin and a planeload of high-level officials could not have been warmer.
President Xi Jinping rolled out the red carpet for “close friend” Putin. The optics crowned a landslide election victory, setting another seal on the two countries’ “no limits” friendship.
The two leaders presented a united front, with a joint statement affirming a “priority” partnership and blaming the United States for a range of problems reflecting “Cold War thinking”. They also pledged to step up their military ties.
The visit focused global attention because it came hot on the heels of Xi’s trip to Europe, when French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pressed him to help resolve the threat of the war in Ukraine to European peace.
Xi’s answer came at a joint press conference with Putin, when he said they had agreed that “a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis is the correct direction”. Xi also said China would like to “play a constructive role” in restoring peace in the European continent.
If there were questions as to how “unlimited” the China-Russia friendship is, the reception for Putin made it clear Beijing still sees Moscow as one of its most critical strategic partners.
The countries’ joint statement is comprehensive, beginning by saying their friendship is not one of convenience but a partnership built on long-term strategy. They also used strong language to lash out against US-led containment of China and Russia.