Putin, China’s top diplomat vow to bolster cooperation for ‘multipolar’ world

In his meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi in Moscow on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said relations between the two countries are “reaching new milestones" amid tensions with the US.

"Russian-Chinese relations are developing as we planned in previous years. Everything is moving forward and developing,” Putin told reporters as he sat beside Wang, who wrapped up his high-profile visit to Moscow. 

“Cooperation in the international arena between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China, as we have repeatedly said, is very important for stabilizing the international situation.”

Wang, for his part, said the two countries “often face crisis and chaos, but there are always opportunities in a crisis.”

“This requires us to identify changes more voluntarily and respond to the changes more actively to further strengthen our comprehensive strategic partnership,” the top Chinese diplomat stated.

Moscow and Beijing are seeking to strengthen relations and remain committed to building a “multipolar” world, Wang said.

“Despite the volatility of the state of international affairs, China and Russia… are firmly and resolutely working towards a multipolar world.”

Wang said Beijing would continue to conduct an independent foreign policy based on “the spirit of mutual benefit.” He said China is seeking to “open new horizons in terms of further cooperation not just with Russia, but other countries as well.”

During his trip, Wang also met with Nikolay Patrushev, the head of Russia’s Security Council. Patrushev told Wang the two countries must stick together against the West over a host of issues.

Patrushev told the visiting Chinese official that Moscow backed China in its position over Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang.

Russia seeks to strengthen its military ties with China

President Putin hailed the strategic cooperation between the two nations as a stabilizing force against unprecedented Western influence, during a video conference with his Chinese counterpart.

At the Munich Security Conference (MSC) on Saturday, Wang said Beijing would soon release its position on a "political settlement" of the Ukrainian crisis.

He urged an end to hostilities and called for negotiations and peace for the sake of the world and Europe in particular.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Tuesday expressed "deep concern" about an escalation in the Ukraine-Russia war, urging Western countries to "stop fueling the fire" and warning of the possibility that it could "spiral out of control."

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping is preparing to visit Moscow for a summit with President Putin in the coming months, a report in the Wall Street Journal said on Tuesday.

Citing people familiar with the plan, the report said the summit might take place in April or in early May when Russia celebrates its World War Two victory over Nazi Germany.

The summit will apparently be part of Beijing’s efforts to play a more active role in bringing the war in Ukraine to an end.

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