Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin met in Beijing yesterday, first with China’s Prime Minister Li Qiang and then with President Xi Jinping. Mishustin and Li concluded several major energy and agriculture deals (see separate slug). Mishustin reported, according to TASS, that cooperation in economic development and trade was discussed, including moving to a new level of collaboration by 2030. Further, he explained: “Along with stronger trade and economic cooperation, we deem it important to expand cultural and humanitarian ties. They cement the foundation of friendship and mutual affection between our peoples, which we must hand down to future generations of Russian and Chinese citizens.”
As reported by TASS, Mishustin described his meeting with Xi as dealing with the alliance of Russia and China, in joining together to deal with the dangers of the waning of global dominance of the West: “We sincerely cherish the long-standing bonds of good-neighborliness, partnership and cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China. This is of particular importance for us in the wake of increasing turbulence in the international arena. Our countries stand shoulder-to-shoulder fending off the collective West’s attempts to preserve global dominance and to take advantage of illegal sanctions in order to impose their will on independent countries. I am convinced that Russia and China will offer a resolute response to those dangerous aspirations and will create favorable conditions for steady progress—toward our common strategic goals.”
