On May 16, Vladimir Putin, accompanied by his delegation, went to the Republic of China’s capital, Beijing, for a two-day visit. This visit was Putin’s first international visit after his re-election as the president of Russia. Putin and his delegates were welcomed by Xi Jinping, the president of the Republic of China. Russian delegates included Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, newly appointed Defence Minister Andrey Belousov, governor of Central Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina, and other officials. China’s delegation included the Secretary of the Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party, Cai Qi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and other officials.
Before his visit to Beijing, Putin had an interview with the official state news agency, Xinhua. During the interview, Putin stated that Russia and China have an exceptional partnership, mentioning achievements in trade and the possible resolution of conflicts in Ukraine. The Kremlin aired Putin’s interview to Xinhua. Pointing out that China was the first country to congratulate by the time he took office, Putin stated, “The unprecedented level of strategic partnership between Russia and China was the first and foremost reason to choose China as the first state to visit after the re-election.” [1]
Putin referred to his meeting with Xi Jinping as an “exchange of views on current issues.” Further, he pointed out that both countries share the same views on significant international topics. Putin highlighted Russia’s and China’s advocacy of supremacy in international law and the United Nation’s broad security framework. Hence, both countries oppose Western countries’ attempt to enforce “false and dishonest order based on concocting rules.”
Further, according to Putin, during economic turmoil in the West, Russia’s and China’s economic achievements proved that the chosen path was correct. Hence, it was stated that both countries decided on improving mutually beneficial economic ties. Focusing attention on the growth in terms of trade between the two countries has doubled, for the past five years, to $111 billion to $227.8 billion, adding that money transactions between the two countries’ companies took place in their national currencies.
Highlighting the importance of possible mutual economic relations between the two countries, Putin stated Moskow and Beijing would seek to improve cooperation in sectors such as industry, space, nuclear energy, and advanced technology. Putin expressed how Western elites have made numerous attempts to undermine, isolate, and ‘punish’ Russia by unlawfully seizing its assets. However, Putin stated that Russia’s strategic plans would eventually be implemented since Russia possesses the relevant resources.[2]
On May 16, 2024, Vladimir Putin was welcomed with a military ceremony in the Great Hall of People, Beijing. Putin was described as an ‘old companion’ in Chinese media. Underlining the close ties between the two leaders, this visit took place by the time Moskow intensified its attacks on Ukraine, and the Ukrainian army stepped back from Kharkiv.[3] Putin and Xi signed a declaration to strengthen their strategic relationship and collaboration.
The declaration, signed on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, expressed the US’ efforts to have military superiority. Both sides implemented that this situation is connected to achieving a global missile defense system and spreading it into multiple areas. The leaders underlined that the US still pursues a Cold War mindset encouraging bloc conflicts and declared that Washington should step back from this manner to achieve regional security and safety. Putin and Xi emphasized that the conflict in Ukraine might resolved by dialogues.
In the part of the declaration regarding the crisis in Ukraine, the following statements were mentioned:[4]
“Both sides state that any actions that will prolong the armed activities and conflicts must be stopped. Hence, the best way to resolve the Ukraine conflict is to dialogue. Both sides underline that the way to a long-term resolution to the Ukraine conflict is to address the crisis’s primary reasons and consider all nations’ justifiable interests and concerns while upholding the idea of indivisible security.”
Both sides agreed upon deepening the cooperation for terrorism and extremism. Putin and Xi highlighted the importance of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in achieving regional stability and combating terrorism. Both leaders showed their commitment to improving BRICS’ role on global issues.
Both sides decided to promote the use of BRICS countries’ national currencies and stated that they both are ready for the new admissions of different countries to BRICS. According to the joint statement, both sides will continue improving China’s and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) interaction. Hence, the plans of the EAEU will be integrated with China’s Belt and Road Initiative.[5]
To conclude, Putin’s visit to China was the first international visit at the beginning of his six-year term, emphasizing that the cooperation between the two countries will continue to increase in the coming years. The joint statement, after the visit of the US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken to China, indicates that both Russia and China are working together to oppose Western Foreign Policy.
[1] “Putin Çin haber ajansına konuştu: Ülkelerimiz birbirine ayrılmaz bir şekilde kenetlenmiştir”, Sputnik, https://anlatilaninotesi.com.tr/20240515/putin-cin-haber-ajansina-konustu-ulkelerimiz-birbirine-ayrilmaz-bir-sekilde-kenetlenmistir-1083821965.html, (Date of Accesion: 16.05.2024).
[2] Ibid.
[3] “Rus Devlet Başkanı Vladimir Putin iki günlük devlet ziyareti için Pekin’de”, Euronews, https://tr.euronews.com/2024/05/16/rus-devlet-baskani-vladimir-putin-iki-gunluk-devlet-ziyareti-icin-pekinde, (Date of Accesion: 16.05.2024).
[4] “Rusya ve Çin’den ortak bildiri: ABD’nin stratejik dengeyi bozma çabalarından ciddi endişe duyuyoruz”, Sputnik, https://anlatilaninotesi.com.tr/20240516/rusya-ve-cinden-ortak-bildiri-abdnin-stratejik-dengeyi-bozma-cabalarindan-ciddi-endise-duyuyoruz-1083892021.html, (Date of Accesion: 16.05.2024).
[5] Ibid.
