China’s highest-ranking diplomat Wang Yi has met, among others, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
China’s foreign policy leader Wang Yi has continued his state visit to Russia on Wednesday. During the day, Wang has met, among others, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the president Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
According to Putin, the relations between the countries have reached new dimensions. At the same time, he said he was waiting for the Chinese president Xi Jinping visiting Russia.
Putin thanked China for the closer trade relationship between the two countries
Putin received Wang in the Kremlin on Wednesday and stated that annual trade between the two countries would soon exceed the $200 billion mark. The amount corresponds to around 188 billion euros, which would mean an increase of more than 15 billion euros compared to last year.
Wang, on the other hand, told Putin that the relations between China and Russia have withstood the pressure caused by the unstable world situation, and that the ongoing crisis has offered new opportunities for the development of relations between the countries.
Wang also said that the closer relationship between China and Russia does not mean that the two countries will act against any third party.
The United States has previously expressed its concern that China would start supplying material and armed aid to Russia. US Secretary of State by Anthony Blinken according to the United States has evidence that China is planning to send aid to Russia.
Blinken, who participated in the Munich Security Conference, stated when he met Wang last week that China’s direct intervention in the war of aggression would lead to measures.
So far, China has said it maintains a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine, and has denied sending armed support to Russia.
However, cooperation between the countries has increased significantly. China’s support and trade relations established with Asian countries have helped Russia in its fight against the effects of sanctions imposed by Western countries. At the same time, Russia has become increasingly dependent on China.
Lavrov promised to defend China’s interests
Earlier on Wednesday, Wang Yi also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
– Regardless of how the situation in the world changes, China has been and will be committed, together with Russia, to taking initiatives to maintain a positive trend in the development of relations between the countries, Wang told Lavrov.
Wang said that he will continue to work to strengthen and deepen relations between Moscow and Beijing. At the same time, he said he was looking forward to signing new agreements during his visit to Moscow. However, he did not specify what kind of contracts were involved.
– Our relationship develops steadily and dynamically. Despite the turbulence observed on the world stage, we show solidarity and readiness to defend each other’s interests, respecting international law and the central position of the UN, Lavrov said.