For the first time in war: Putin’s critical visit to China
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China, which he considers his “strategic partner”, at a time when tensions continue in relations with the United States and the West due to the war in Ukraine.
Putin, who arrived in Beijing this morning to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum held in China, will meet tomorrow with Chinese President Xi Jinping after his speech at the forum.
The Russian leader visits China for the first time since the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine, which is in its 600th day.
The visit is expected to reinforce the rapprochement between both countries, defined as “comprehensive coordination of strategic partnership”, at a time when international and regional tensions are increasing. During Putin’s visit, “Belt and Road” cooperation and economic relations between the two countries are expected to be discussed, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war and escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine in the Middle East.
‘COOPERATION NOT GLOBAL DOMINATION’
In his interview with Chinese state television CCTV before his visit, Putin said they saw the Belt and Road Initiative, which China launched with the aim of revitalizing East-West trade on the historic Silk Road, as a “desire for cooperation” and It is not an effort for “global domination.”
Noting that Belt and Road cooperation is not based on coercion, unlike “colonial countries,” Putin said: “Some see the Belt and Road Initiative as an effort by China to dominate others. , but that is not the case for us. “We see the desire for cooperation,” he said.
Russia actively cooperates with China on transportation and infrastructure projects on the two main land routes of the Belt and Road Initiative. The Russian leader also attended the two previous Belt and Road Forums, held in 2017 and 2019.
Describing Chinese President Xi’s visit to Moscow in March as “epoch-making,” Putin said: “The current international situation confirms President Xi Jinping’s strategic verdict that ‘the world is undergoing changes not seen in a century.’ “. (AA)