China FM heads to Russia after meeting with US national security adviser

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi heads to Russia to hold security talks in Moscow after meeting with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

China’s top diplomat, who simultaneously holds the ruling Communist Party’s top foreign policy post, will be in Moscow from Monday to Thursday, after he held security talks with Sullivan over the weekend in Malta.

In a brief statement by China’s Foreign Ministry, Wang would be in Moscow for a round of China-Russia strategic security consultations. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also called Wang’s visit to Russia a routine one to hold in-depth talks on major strategic security interests.

Washington and Beijing are at odds, among others, over Russia’s war in Ukraine that began in February last year.

China still holds a neutral position and refrained from taking sides in the war, arguing that while a country’s territory must be respected, the West also needs to consider Russia’s security concerns about NATO expansion, with which Moscow largely justifies the war.

China reiterates US must abandon ‘Cold War mentality’

The US president signed a strategic partnership deal with Vietnam on Sunday. China had already been irked.

Beijing has also accused Washington of prolonging the fighting through supplying arms to Kiev, weaponry the White House claims is needed to defend against Russia.

During their negotiations, Wang discussed the situation in Ukraine with Sullivan. Both sides described the talks as candid, substantive and constructive as they strive to boost their fragile relationship and settle differences over a host of issues, including security, trade, technology and human rights.

Early last week, Mao said when it comes to interaction with Asian countries the US needs to abandon its hegemonic and “Cold War mentality. Mao urged Washington to “abide by the basic norms of international relations.”

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