Russia-China ties 'conducive to peace': Xi tells Putin

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who landed in Beijing on Thursday(May 16)said the ties between both the countriesare 'conducive to peace'. Putin echoed similar thoughts and said that theties between the two nations are 'stabilising' for world," reported AFP.

This is Putinsfirst overseas visit since his re-election in March andsolidifyinghis grip on power in the country. Hesecured a landslide victory in the eighth presidential election held in Russiaandcommenced his fifth term in office.

Putin is on a two-day state visit to China, as confirmed by Russian state media. Arriving in the Chinese capital of Beijing, Putin received a warm welcome from Chinese officials and a guard ofhonour.

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Ahead of his visit, Putin while responding to China's Xinhua news agency over how he assesses cooperation between China and Russia within BRICS, the SCO and other multilateral mechanisms, slammed US.

In his remarks, Putin said, "The countries that affiliate themselves with the so‑called ”golden billion“ do not seem to think so. US‑led Western elites refuse to respect civilizational and cultural diversity and reject centuries-old traditional values."

"Seeking to retain their global dominance, they have usurped the right to tell other nations whom they may, or must not, make friends and cooperate with, and to deny them the right to choose their own development models. They disregard other countries' sovereign interests. They seek to ensure their well‑being at the expense of other states, just like in the old days, and resort to neo-colonial methods to that end."

Putin added,"needless to say, neither Russia nor its partners are happy with this state of affairs. We have actively contributed to launching multilateral associations and mechanisms that are independent of the West and are successfully operating. In their work they build on the principles of equality, justice, transparency, respect and consideration of each other's interests."

Russia picks China as first overseas country for visit post-elections

Picking China as the first overseas country for his visit post-elections holds symbolic importance as it underscoresthe deepening ties between Russia and China amid escalating tensions with Western powers and the dragged-on war with Ukraine, where Moscow has made some significant advances in recent days.

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Putin's arrival coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to suspend all forthcoming international visits as his forces confront Russian incursions in northeastern Kharkiv, a city that witnessed evacuation of thousands of people amid Moscow's ground assault.

Against this backdrop, discussions between Xi and Putin are expected to address the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

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Both the leaders are also expected to hold dialogue on bolstering their nation'seconomic collaborations, as well as energy and security ties.

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Putin's visit is the fourth face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping since the Ukraine invasion broke out on February 24, 2022. This is also the second visit by the Russian president in this duration.

Earlier, when Xi Jinping clinched an unprecedented third term as Chinesepresident during a parliamentary session in March last year, where he consolidated his authority, he reciprocated by travelling to Moscow.

Meanwhile, the agenda of Putin's visit to Chinaincludes the signing of numerous bilateral agreements, with both leaders anticipated to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations at a "gala event."

According to the Kremlin, the discussions between Putin and Xi will encompass a comprehensive review of their strategic partnership, charting new avenues for collaboration while exchanging views on pressing global and regional concerns.

(With inputs from agencies)