Russia, China sign pacts despite Western criticism
● Ties at unprecedented high as PM, premier meet in Beijing
Russia’s prime minister signed a set of agreements with China yesterday during a trip to Beijing, describing bilateral ties as at an unprecedented high, despite disapproval from the West of their relationship as the war in Ukraine drags on.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin — the highest ranking Russian official to visit Beijing since Moscow sent troops to Ukraine in February last year — held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and was due to meet President Xi Jinping.
The visit comes after Russia and China reacted furiously to the Group of Seven’s weekend declarations that singled both countries out on a range of issues including Ukraine.
With Russia increasingly feeling the weight of Western sanctions, Moscow is leaning on Beijing for support, feeding on demand for oil and gas.
“Today, relations between Russia and China are at an unprecedented high level,” Mishustin told Li in their meeting in Beijing.
“They are characterised by mutual respect of each other’s interests, the desire to jointly respond to challenges, which is associated with increased turbulence in the international arena and the pattern of sensational pressure from the collective West,” he said.
“As our Chinese friends say, unity makes it possible to move mountains.”
The memorandums of understanding signed included an agreement to deepen investment co-operation in trade services, and pacts on export of agricultural products to China and sports co-operation.
Xi visited Russia in March and held talks with “dear friend” President Vladimir Putin, after committing to a “no-limits” partnership.
“China is willing to work with Russia to implement the joint co-operation between the two countries, and promoting pragmatic co-operation in various fields can take it to a new level,” Li told Mishustin.
Last month, China’s exports to Russia saw continued momentum, climbing 153.1% from a year earlier, after more than doubling in March, Chinese customs data shows.
Russia’s energy shipments to China are projected to rise 40% this year, and the two countries are discussing technological equipment supplies to Russia, Interfax reported.
Deepening of ties with China is a strategic course for Moscow, according to Russia’s Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev, who held talks on Monday with Chen Wenqing, member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo who oversees police, legal affairs and intelligence.
Last week, China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs Li Hui visited Ukraine and met President Volodymyr Zelensky, kicking off a European tour billed as an effort to promote peace talks and a political settlement of the crisis.
Li Hui will visit Russia tomorrow, Russian news agency TASS reported. —