The Russian President concludes his two-day visit to China, stating that new doors will be opened for trade and cultural relations with the country. According to Reuters, Vladimir Putin signed a contract with Xi Jinping, the President of China, emphasizing the 'strengthening of strategic relations' between the two countries. They signed a joint statement on Thursday, May 17, praising the developments of the 'new era' in the world, stating that Russia and China will counter the policies of the United States. Xi and Putin also emphasized the expansion of joint cooperation in a joint press conference. Chinese customs data shows that trade between China and Russia reached a record of at least $240 billion in 2023, an increase of over 26% compared to the previous year. The state-run newspaper 'Global Times' pointed to the importance of the growth of trade relations for broader relations between the two countries, noting that China has been Russia's largest trading partner for the thirteenth consecutive year. This is Vladimir Putin's first visit to Beijing since the beginning of his fifth presidential term. According to the report, since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, he has increasingly turned to China for support for Russia's war economy in the face of political isolation and Western sanctions. Xi told Putin, 'The China-Russia relationship has been hard-earned today, and both sides must cherish and support it.' The meeting between these two political partners occurred amid NATO's repeated accusations against China regarding its relations with Russia. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's Secretary-General, recently warned China that if it wants to maintain good relations with Europe, it must end its support for Russia's war in Ukraine, stating that Beijing cannot have both sides. He also warned Western countries not to become dependent on China like they did with Russia, adding, 'In the past, we made the mistake of becoming dependent on Russian oil and gas. Therefore, we should not repeat that mistake with China. Dependence on its money, raw materials, and technologies makes us vulnerable.'
Putin and Xi Emphasize Strengthening Strategic Relations Between Russia and China
Vladimir Putin concluded a two-day visit to China, where he and Xi Jinping signed agreements to strengthen strategic relations amid growing trade ties. This meeting highlights the deepening partnership between Russia and China, especially in the context of Western sanctions and geopolitical tensions.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Vladimir Putin visited China to meet with Xi Jinping, where they signed agreements to strengthen strategic relations and praised their partnership as a counterbalance to the United States. The visit highlighted increased trade and cooperation between the two countries.
- Trade between China and Russia reached a record $240 billion in 2023.
- Putin's visit marks his first to Beijing since the start of his fifth presidential term.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Russia and China have been strengthening their partnership in recent years, particularly as both face increasing tensions with Western countries. This relationship is characterized by growing economic ties and mutual strategic interests.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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