During China’s Foreign Ministry press briefing today, spokesman Lin Jian offered important commentary on the nature of the China-Russia relationship, and particularly the leadership role of Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in ensuring the permanence of this relationship in the face of geopolitical machinations from Western elites and their “rules-based” order. China, Lin said, “highly values the strategic guidance from head-of-state diplomacy for China-Russia relations. The two presidents agreed to maintain close interactions and ensure the smooth and steady growth of China-Russia relations.”
In response to a reporter’s question about President Putin’s inauguration, Lin replied that President Xi had sent a congratulatory message to his Russian counterpart following his reelection. “We believe that under the leadership of President Putin, Russia will make new achievements in national development and economic and social progress.” He particularly stressed that under the “strategic guidance” of both Presidents, “China-Russia relations have enjoyed sound and steady growth.”
This is not to the liking of the “Global North.” As Lin explained, “the two sides uphold the principle of non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party and advance bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and playing a positive role in advancing global common development.”
This year is also the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic ties. “The two sides will follow the guidance of the common understandings between the two presidents, further enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation and carry forward our friendship to jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, implement true multilateralism and make global governance more just and equitable.”
