Chinese President Xi Jinping said today that the friendship between China and Russia has “broad prospects” and noted that there are still “great achievements to be achieved” by the two countries.
In a message sent to the Beijing-Moscow Friendship Association to mark the 65th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Xi said the organization had made “important contributions to promoting mutual understanding and trust between the two peoples”.
“The friendship between China and Russia has broad prospects and there are still great achievements to be achieved,” Xi wrote, according to local media.
Weeks before Russia invades Ukraine, on February 4th, Xi Jinping received Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The two leaders then announced a “no limits” partnership.
That Asian country refused to condemn Russia for the invasion of Ukraine and criticized the imposition of sanctions against Moscow. Beijing considered the partnership with the neighboring country essential to oppose the liberal democratic order, led by the United States.
At the last UN General Assembly, Beijing did not criticize the mobilization or the calling of referendums for the annexation of Ukrainian territories by Russia.
During a meeting in Uzbekistan in September, Putin praised the fact that Beijing had maintained “a balanced position” on the conflict in Ukraine, while admitting “issues and concerns” on China’s part.
Xi also called on Putin for “joint leadership, in a changing world, that defends the interests of developing countries.”
In November, the Indonesian island of Bali will host the G20 summit (Germany, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, South Korea, United States, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia , United Kingdom, South Africa, Turkey and the European Union), which will be attended by Putin and Xi, Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced in August
