Sergey Saenko, international observer

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China on May 16-17. I would like to immediately note that this visit, which became his first foreign trip after assuming the office of president and had state status, in the current international situation goes far beyond the scope of bilateral relations. By the way, this is already Vladimir Putin’s 18th trip to China – the last time he was there on a working visit last fall, and the number of his meetings with Xi Jinping exceeded four dozen.

It will not be an exaggeration to say that personal relations between the leaders of Russia and China are extremely important – mutual respect, frankness and trust are the foundation on which not only their communication, but also the relations of the two neighboring states are built. And yet, the main foundation of the Russian-Chinese alliance is the commonality of interests and strategic goals, i.e. the two countries see each other not just as reliable partners, but also as comrades in reforming the world order.

Today Russia and China are brought together not by a common ideology, as was the case before, but by common interests. The main ones are resistance to Western pressure and the construction of a new, anti-global world order system, which will lead to a weakening of the power of Western countries. In essence, Moscow and Beijing are creating an alternative world. And this fact greatly irritates and frightens the collective West. It is no coincidence that the British newspaper Financial Times, on the eve of President Putin’s visit to China, published a large article entitled “China – Russia: an economic “friendship” that could turn the world upside down.” It is for this reason that the West is trying with all its might to disrupt ties between Russia and China and drive a wedge between Moscow and Beijing. The only trouble is that Western capitals do not understand that all their efforts in this direction only work to further bring these two powerful powers closer together.

It should be noted that by opposing the Atlantic course and defending their national interests, Moscow and Beijing have a huge influence on the rest of the non-Western world – demonstrating the possibility of successful resistance to the dictates of force and permissiveness. Therefore, not just the future of China, which realizes that it will be the next target of attack by pro-Western forces, but also the future of the whole world depends on Russia’s victory in the confrontation with the West, currently in Ukraine. Russia cannot afford to retreat and lose, but China cannot afford to allow Russia to lose. The stakes are too high – and this is not just Ukraine or Taiwan, but the future of a just world order. When last year, during his visit to Moscow, Xi Jinping said that changes are taking place in the world that happen once every hundred years, he, presumably, had this in mind.

However, let’s return to Vladimir Putin’s visit to China, during which he visited Beijing and Harbin. In the capital of the People’s Republic of China, the Russian leader held negotiations with Xi Jinping, including a tete-a-tete conversation, and Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang, during which the whole range of issues of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction was discussed, key directions for the further development of Russian-Chinese practical cooperation, in particular, in the trade, economic and humanitarian spheres. The parties also thoroughly exchanged views on the most pressing international and regional issues. As a result of the negotiations, a joint statement by the heads of state and a number of bilateral agreements were signed. Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping also addressed the press.

The joint 30-page statement emphasizes the special nature of bilateral relations, outlines further development paths for the entire range of bilateral ties, and notes the leading role of Russia and China in the formation of a fair and democratic world order. The document also talks about the crisis around Ukraine. In particular, the statement notes that Moscow positively assesses Beijing’s unbiased position on the Ukrainian issue and welcomes its willingness to play a constructive role in the political and diplomatic resolution of this crisis.

Speaking to representatives of the press, Vladimir Putin said that Moscow and Beijing have developed a solid base of practical cooperation. According to him, “in 2023, trade turnover increased by a quarter, setting a new record – according to Chinese statistics, 240 billion dollars, while Russia at the end of the year took fourth place in the list of countries – trading partners of the PRC.” The priorities of cooperation between the two countries are energy, industry, agriculture, high technology, innovation, infrastructure construction and transport.

According to the Russian leader, Russia and China together defend the principles of justice and a democratic world order, reflecting multipolar realities and a world order based on international law, and successfully interact in the UN, BRICS, SCO, and also in the G20. “We are determined to further harmonize integration processes in the Eurasian space, to combine the potentials of EAEU and yours, dear friend, the One Belt, One Road initiative,” Putin added.

In turn, Xi Jinping noted that “the relations between Russia and China have stood the test of a changing international situation and have become the standard of relations between major powers and neighboring countries, characterized by mutual respect, trust, friendship and mutual benefit.” At the same time, the Chinese leader emphasized that the sustainable development of relations between China and Russia not only meets the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, but also benefits the cause of peace and prosperity in the region and throughout the world.

In addition, on the first day of the distinguished Russian guest’s stay in China, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping took part in the opening ceremony of the cross Years of Culture of Russia and China and a concert on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two states. Then the leaders of the two countries moved to the Zhongnanhai government residence, where a meeting closed to journalists was held. During an informal conversation over a cup of tea, the Russian President told the Chinese leader in detail about the situation around the Ukrainian crisis, and other issues of mutual interest were also discussed.

On the second day of his stay in China, Vladimir Putin visited the city of Harbin, where he took part in the opening ceremonies of the VIII Russian-Chinese EXPO and the IV bilateral forum on interregional cooperation. The Russian President also met with students and teachers of Harbin Polytechnic University and answered their numerous questions. He also laid flowers at the Monument to Soviet soldiers who died in the battles for the liberation of Northeast China.

Following the meetings in China, Vladimir Putin gave a press conference for the Russian media, at which he noted that the future of humanity depends on all of humanity, and not just on Russia and China. But, of course, our countries are “important components of modern civilization.” “We have our own opinion on how we should develop. And this development of ours will certainly influence the development of all partners on the planet,” the head of state specified.

In conclusion, I would like to note that Vladimir Putin’s visit to China became a new milestone in relations between Russia and China, which are trying to expand interaction in the context of the Ukrainian conflict and Western sanctions wars. Of course, the closed negotiations between the two leaders were of key importance, during which Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping tried to agree on a formula for a speedy resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, as well as find ways to minimize the impact of Western sanctions and unite the “world majority” around the initiatives of Moscow and Beijing to build a new world order.

It is also clear that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trip to China clearly showed the West that Beijing is not going to give up close ties with Moscow, and the two powers will continue to deepen their relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction.