Xi touts ties with Putin as US tensions bring them closer
CHINESE PRESIDENT PRESENTS FIRST FRIENDSHIP MEDAL TO HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART
President Xi Jinping gave China’s first friendship medal to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin yesterday as the neighbouring giants touted their close ties amid diplomatic and economic challenges from the US.
Xi placed the large golden medal around Putin’s neck at the grandiose Great Hall of the People in front of dignitaries from both countries.
Xi said China’s “highest honour” is bestowed on foreigners who have made “outstanding contributions” to the country’s modernisation drive and helped maintain world peace.
“This medal of friendship represents the Chinese people’s lofty respect for President Putin, and symbolises the profound friendship between China and Russia,” Xi said.
‘Fruitful’ talks
The most powerful Russian and Chinese leaders in decades, Putin and Xi have forged closer ties as US President Donald Trump has labelled both countries economic rivals that challenge US interests and values.
Before the medal ceremony, Putin said the two heads of state had enjoyed “fruitful” talks.
“The relationship between Russia and China is a friendly, neighbourly one, developing ... in the spirit of overarching strategic partnership,” he said.
Analysts remarked on the similar leadership styles of the two men. Xi and Putin are “soul mates who want to make their countries great again”, Alexander Gabuev, senior fellow at the Carnegie Moscow Centre, told journalists.
“Both share scepticism towards American hegemony and distrust US intentions, both are authoritarian personalistic rulers,” he said.
China is mired in tough negotiations with the United States to avoid a trade war, while Moscow has deep differences with Washington on multiple diplomatic fronts, including Syria and Ukraine.
“We both believe that the current trade protectionism has increased, and there are many uncertainties in the recovery of the world economy. Economic globalisation and regional economic integration are the trend of the times,” Xi said.
Putin played up his bond with “good friend” Xi in an interview with China’s state broadcaster CGTN this week.