Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Russia on March 20-23 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. says On the Kremlin website.
During the meetings, it is planned to exchange views on the development of Russia-China relations and the deepening of cooperation between the two countries in the international arena. A number of important bilateral documents will also be signed.
Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told RIA Novosti that Xi will arrive in Moscow on March 20 and does not plan to visit other cities outside the capital. Also, according to Peskov, communication between Putin and Xi will begin on the afternoon of March 20, an informal lunch is expected. March 21 will be the negotiation day. Yuri Ushakov, Deputy President of the Russian Federation, will give a special briefing on this visit.
Commenting on the upcoming visit of the Chinese President, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that China will adhere to an objective position on the Ukraine conflict. He also pointed out that the country’s leaders will address bilateral relations and issues on the international and regional agenda.
“China will firmly adhere to a neutral and fair position regarding the Ukraine crisis and play a constructive role in advancing peace talks,” the diplomat said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s official visit to Russia will further strengthen trust and mutual understanding between Beijing and Moscow, Wang Wenbin, the official representative of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said.
Xi’s visit to Russia will be a friendly visit,” he said.
Wenbing noted that Xi’s visit to Moscow will be peaceful and will not target third parties. “The two sides will implement true multilateralism based on the principles of non-compliance, non-conflict and non-targeting of third parties, promote the democratization of international relations, build a multipolar world, enhance global governance and contribute to global development,” said the Chinese diplomat.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) did not reveal the Beijing president’s travel plans, but wrote that it was assumed he could visit other European countries.
On March 13, the WSJ newspaper, citing its sources, wrote that Xi plans to have an online meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Perhaps, the newspaper noted, this will happen after Xi Jinping’s trip to Moscow. The publication also noted that Xi’s meeting with the leaders of the Russian Federation and Ukraine demonstrates Beijing’s intention to play a more important role in resolving the conflict.
preparing for the trip
The first signal of Xi’s possible Moscow visit was the announcement by the Russian Foreign Ministry on January 30. They said the Chinese president’s visit to Russia is scheduled for the spring, but they did not specify a more precise date. As stated in the ministry’s message, this will be the main event in bilateral relations in 2023. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that Moscow and Beijing are trying to jointly create a multipolar system of international relations “in the context of a radical transformation of the geopolitical situation”.
However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry did not confirm or deny information about Xi’s visit to Moscow at the time. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said Moscow and Beijing are in close contact at all levels.
On February 21, Wang Yi, head of the CPC Central Committee Foreign Relations Commission office, arrived in Moscow as part of a grand tour of Europe (France, Italy, Germany, and Hungary). Wang Yi met with Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev to discuss bilateral relations, Taiwan issue and common security issues. Moscow supported Beijing on Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong. During his meeting with Wang Yi, Patrushev also said that the West is harming developing countries by acting against the unity of the Russian Federation and China.
At the same time, the WSJ wrote that Xi could come to Moscow in April-May to meet with Putin. The material says that Beijing wants to play a more important role in the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. It was then suggested that the visit could be postponed to 9 May. The report attributed China’s efforts to Beijing’s attempt to counter growing Western distrust and possible technological sanctions. It is also stated that Beijing fears that Moscow will not be able to cope with the pressure exerted on it both militarily and economically due to escalating sanctions in direct military conflict with Ukraine.
On February 24, Beijing released a 12-point plan to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Prior to official publication, key points of the plan were sent to Moscow and Kiev for review. Bloomberg, who read the document before its official publication, noted that the plan had little chance of success, citing European officials. In response, the WSJ wrote, citing Chinese officials, that Beijing’s plan could face serious obstacles and “any deal could require pressure on Russia that China is unwilling to exert.”
Putin did not comment on the Chinese settlement plan. Zelensky categorically disagreed with some points, but said “you can think about some points”, calling it “reflections” on the earth. Overall, Zelensky welcomed Beijing’s efforts, noting that China has a pragmatic approach to participating in a peaceful solution. The European Union and NATO reacted coldly to China’s offers.