CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PUTIN SPEAK VIA VIDEO-LINK ON FEBRUARY 24
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The Zhongguo Qingnian Bao (February 24) and Workers Daily (February 24) both reported
that on February 24 afternoon Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke to Russian President
Vladimir Putin via video-link "at the latter's request". Xi Jinping said he discussed "carrying
out activities to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War
of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World
Anti-Fascist War. History and reality show us that China and Russia are good neighbours that
cannot be moved away, and true friends who share weal and woe, support each other and
develop together". Xi Jinping said China-Russia ties enjoy strong internal driving force and
unique strategic value, adding that the relationship does not target any third party, nor would it
be influenced by any third party. "The development strategies and foreign policies of China
and Russia are long-term. No matter how the international situation changes, China-Russia
relations will move forward calmly, help the development and revitalization of each other, and
inject stability and positive energy into international relations". According to the Zhongguo
Qingnian Bao, "Putin said that Russia attaches great importance to its relations with China and
looks forward to maintaining high-level exchanges with China in the new year, deepening
practical cooperation, and jointly commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the
World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War
of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Developing relations with China is a strategic
choice made by Russia with a long-term perspective, not a stopgap measure, and is not affected
by a single moment or external factors. Under the current situation, maintaining close
communication between Russia and China is in line with the spirit of the comprehensive
strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries in the new era, and will also send
a positive signal that Russia and China play a stabilizing role in international affairs". They
also discussed the Ukraine situation with Putin saying "Russia is committed to eliminating the
root causes of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and reaching a sustainable and long-term peace plan".
Both leaders also agreed to visit each others' country this year. CCTV (February 24) added that
"the two sides agreed to continue to maintain communication and coordination through various
means".
(Comment: i) The video call, which underscores the depth of China-Russia ties, assumes
significance as it comes amid the US' moves to end the war in Ukraine and improve ties with
Russia. Chinese President Xi Jinping will be very wary of such moves that, if successful, could
weaken Sino-Russia ties.
ii) Reports in the Russian media, TASS, said that Xi Jinping will visit Moscow to take part in
the celebrations on May 9 on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great
Patriotic War.)
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