On March 22, 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping returned to China after his first trip to Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine last year. The two leaders of China and Russia, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, have made announcement on a range of issues after their meeting. Moreover, they discussed the conflict in the Ukraine, the influence of the United States and NATO, economic cooperation and military cooperation. A deal was reached by the two nations, which marked the beginning of a new era of cooperation in ties between Russia and China. Furthermore, to end the Ukraine conflict, the two leaders urged for a “responsible dialogue.” In this regard, Russian President Putin hailed President Xi Jinping for a peace plan for Ukraine that he introduced last month.
Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, and Xi Jinping, the president of China, have signed several documents on strategic cooperation between Moscow and Beijing following what Putin referred to as successful and constructive meetings at the Kremlin. The discussions between the two counterparts were aimed to strengthen the no limits alliance that the two leaders had announced in February 2022, just before the Russia-Ukraine war started. “We signed an agreement on deepening the strategic partnership and bilateral ties, which are entering a new era.” Xi said after the discussions with Putin on March 21, 2023.
Xi appreciated constructive talks, pointing to an increase in trade and economic cooperation with Russia, which included the shipment of more Chinese electronic products. According to Putin, further gas shipments to China have been agreed upon, and the two nations intend to improve their transportation connections by constructing new highways and bridges. Putin also emphasized the importance of agricultural cooperation in particular and said that Russia was prepared to increase grain and meat exports to China. Additionally, he said that by working together, the two nations might overtake rivals in IT and AI. Media sources indicate that Xi and Putin agreed in a joint statement that Russia and China “will build a closer energy partnership, supporting companies from both countries in advancing cooperation projects in oil, gas, coal, electricity and nuclear energy.” The two leaders decided to “expand bilateral trade, cooperation in energy and food security and development of rail and other cross-border logistics infrastructure”. In their joint statement, Xi and Putin also decided to “further deepen military mutual trust” between the two countries.
Research Associate, Pakistan House