The world was a better place last time Vladimir Putin ground Beijing. Russian President gave the order for invasion Ukraine And today bombs are falling on hospitals Loop. Putin has since faced scorn from the West and received an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes restricting his movements. During this turbulent year and a half, friendship Xi JinpingChinese president.
Their forty-second meeting in 10 years took place with China’s magnificent project, Belt and Road (BRI). trade and infrastructureis currently celebrating its first decade in Beijing. Representatives from 130 countries and several dozen presidents and prime ministers came, but none brought Russia to the fore. Putin and Xi entered the Great Hall of the People together and took a group photo together. Putin spoke after Xi, without showering praise on his host: He applauded the “achievements of our Chinese friends” and called for global support for the BRI, also called the new silk road. He reminded that both countries desire “a world that respects different civilizations and respects the right of each country to choose its own development model.” allusions to something multilateral world and it is common in speeches in Moscow and Beijing, where traditional Western leadership is absent. Adding subtle criticisms, Xi did not shy away from them either. United States of America: “Ideological conflict, geopolitical competition and bloc politics are not an option for us. We oppose economic sanctions and repression, decoupling and disruption of supply chains.” He said this a day after Washington expanded controls on chip and other technology exports to China.
During last year’s visit “unlimited” relationship This created a lot of anxiety when the war broke out. A few weeks was enough to show that this was happening. military cooperation Without going any further, there is no rift in diplomacy or the desire for a new world more responsive to the global south. The Middle East conflict has repositioned them against the West. There was no clear condemnation from Beijing and Moscow Hamas and yes to Israel’s excesses. The opposition is capital: Joe Biden Moscow visits Israel while comparing Gaza Leningrad and Beijing condemns Israel’s response as overstepping its bounds self defense It demands an end to the suffering of Palestinians. This Wednesday, Xi only mentioned the conflict indirectly, and Putin called the bombing of hospitals a “disaster”.
Silk Road
BRI revives the legendary Silk Road, a precursor to globalization that connected Europe and Asia between the 9th and 15th centuries. Times are changing, but China’s commercial spirit endures. Where there are camels high speed trains And latest technology products They soothe delicate porcelain. With modern poverty-reducing infrastructure, China and its companies win, and the developing world also wins. China has invested a trillion dollars in 150 countries on five continents for an initiative that has sparked criticism in the West alone: the debt trap, lax labor and environmental standards.
Beijing disparages them as the usual Sinophobic prejudices trying to prevent its rise. The mass representation of the global south gathering in Beijing these days does not feel the treachery or fake Chinese interests that the West talks about. Alberto FernandezThe Argentinian President recalled what Beijing sent to them in his speech on Wednesday. vaccinations When the West monopolizes them. “China is a brother who accompanied us through the pandemic, helped us financially when the IMF’s pressure took us under control, and provided jobs for Argentines by investing in our country,” he said.