Xinhua and CCTV (February 4) reported that on February 4, Chinese President Xi Jinping had an "had an
in-depth and full exchange of views on Sino-Russian relations and a series of major issues concerning
international strategic security and stability in a warm and friendly atmosphere" with Russian President
Vladimir Putin at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Stating that "the world has entered a new period
of turbulence and change, and human society has encountered many challenges and crises", Xi Jinping added
that "China and Russia have adhered to their original aspirations and have always maintained their bilateral
relations to move forward steadily. The two sides firmly support each other in safeguarding their core
interests. Political and strategic mutual trust is increasingly consolidated, and bilateral trade volume has hit
a new record high". He asserted that "China and Russia are committed to deepening back-to-back strategic
cooperation and safeguarding international fairness and justice side by side. This is a strategic decision that
has far-reaching influence on China, Russia and the world, and will not be shaken in the past, present and
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future". He said they should continue to maintain close high-level exchanges, "strongly support each other
in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests, effectively respond to external interference
and regional security threats, and maintain international strategic stability". Putin replied: "Russia-China
relations are a model of international relations in the 21st century. The joint statement we issued today reflects
the highly unanimous position of Russia and China on major international issues. The strategic nature of
Russia-China relations is unprecedentedly prominent and has attracted worldwide attention. The deepening
of comprehensive strategic coordination between Russia and China is conducive to the realization of the
respective development of the two countries and the maintenance of the common interests of the two
countries. It is also of great significance to safeguarding world strategic security and stability. The Russian
side is willing to further intensify strategic communication and coordination with the Chinese side, firmly
support each other in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, firmly uphold the core coordination
role of the United Nations, firmly uphold international law and international fairness and justice, and promote
the building of a more just and reasonable international order". Xinhua said during the meeting, the two heads
of state had an in-depth exchange of views on the current international and regional situation and major
hotspot issues of mutual concern. After the talks, Xi Jinping held a banquet for Putin. The two sides issued
the "Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on International Relations
and Global Sustainable Development in the New Era" and signed a series of cooperation documents in key
areas.
Chinese officials including Ding Xuexiang, Director of the CCP CC General Office, senior Chinese diplomat
Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, NDRC head He Lifeng, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and
Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng also attended the Xi-Putin meeting.
(Comment: This was the first in-person meeting between the two in more than 2 years. At the meeting both
were wearing closely matching ties! Besides Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, only Russian President Vladimir
Putin and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan stayed at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, while other foreign
dignitaries were accommodated in hotels.)
The state-run CCTV (February 4) reported the 'China and Russia joint statement on international relations
and global sustainable development in the new era' issued in Beijing on February 4. CCTV said:
The statement pointed out that at present, the world is going through great changes, and the international
community has a stronger voice for peace and sustainable development. A few international forces continue
to stubbornly pursue unilateralism and harm the legitimate rights and interests of other countries. The
international community will never accept this.
- The two sides call on all countries to safeguard the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice,
democracy, and freedom for all mankind, defend the international system with the United Nations at the core
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and the international order based on international law, practice genuine multilateralism, and achieve world
peace and stability and sustainable development.
- The two sides agreed that the people of all countries have the right to choose the form and method of
democratic practice that suits their national conditions. Whether a country is democratic or not can only be
judged by its people.
- The two sides believe that development is the key to realizing the well-being of the people, and are willing
to continue relevant work on advancing the global development initiative proposed by China.
- The two sides reiterated that they firmly support each other's core interests and oppose external forces
interfering in the internal affairs of the two countries and undermining the security and stability of the
common surrounding areas of the two countries.
- As world powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, the two sides will uphold
responsibility and morality, promote world multi-polarization and democratization of international relations,
and work together to build a new type of international relations.
- The Russian side spoke positively of China's concept of building a community with a shared future for
mankind, believing that this concept will help strengthen the solidarity of the international community and
work together to tackle common challenges.
- Russia supports China in successfully hosting the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
The People's Daily (February 5) published a commentary titled 'Inject more vitality into the development of
Sino-Russian relations'.
(Comment: The joint statement's language appears to be centred on the Chinese sphere of interests: the IndoPacific, Taiwan, the Asia-Pacific region, and Europe. The coordination between the CEE and BRI is of
concern to China, but much less so to Russia. Ukraine is not explicitly mentioned. It makes no mention of
mutual support in Russia’s tensions over Ukraine and China’s with Taiwan. It does, however, state: "The
Russian side reaffirms its support for the One-China principle, confirms that Taiwan is an inalienable part of
China, and opposes any forms of independence of Taiwan". and in the following paragraph "Russia and
China stand against attempts by external forces to undermine security and stability in their common adjacent
regions, intend to counter interference by outside forces in the internal affairs of sovereign countries under
any pretext, oppose colour revolutions, and will increase cooperation in the aforementioned areas". This
could signal China's unease over the developments in Ukraine and limits of the growing Sino-Russia
partnership.)
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