The Russian and Chinese leaders denounced Thursday, according to the Kremlin, the policy of interference of the United States in the affairs of other countries and accused Washington of seeking to contain Russia and China.
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin have shown their good understanding for years, but their alliance on the world stage has taken on particular importance since Russia launched its assault on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with Beijing supporting Moscow economically and diplomatically.
China criticizes the United States for its influence in the Asia-Pacific and its support for independence in Taiwan. Russia believes that Washington is using Ukraine to destroy it.
During a telephone interview, the two men therefore “expressed their rejection of the American policy of interference in the internal affairs of other states”, indicated the Kremlin diplomatic advisor, Yuri Ushakov.
“The leaders of both countries understand well that the United States is implementing a policy of double containment, of Russia and China,” he added.
MM. Putin and Xi also, in this hour-long “friendly” conversation, affirmed that “Moscow and Beijing support each other on key issues affecting their interests.”
Earlier, Chinese state television CCTV reported that the Chinese president had told his counterpart that their two countries must oppose foreign “interference”, without mentioning the United States by name.
But the reference was clear, China and Russia regularly denouncing the interference of which they say they are victims from Western countries, Americans in the lead, whether it is Taiwan on the Chinese side or the Russian offensive against Ukraine.
Strategic collaboration
“The two sides should work closely together strategically,” Xi Jinping told Vladimir Putin, according to a report published by CCTV.
China and Russia must “defend the sovereignty, security and development interests of their respective countries and resolutely oppose interference by external forces in their internal affairs”, underlined the Chinese head of state, evoking his wish of an “equal and ordered multipolar world”.
The call between the two men was officially intended to exchange greetings on the occasion of the Chinese Year of the Dragon, which begins Saturday.
Russia, largely cut off from the Western world, relies on its good relationship with China to escape isolation and in particular to counter the harmful effects of economic sanctions adopted by the West because of Ukraine.
Beijing has shown a certain complacency towards the Russian assault against its neighbor, with Moscow presenting its offensive as the response to a proxy war waged against it by the United States.
In this matter, China calls for respect for the territorial integrity of all countries – including Ukraine – but it has never publicly condemned Mr. Putin’s decision to attack.
Beijing seeks to appear as a neutral party, but in reality offers diplomatic and financial support.
Thus, Beijing, which calls for a peaceful settlement of the conflict, has never called on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, but it has denounced Western support for the Ukrainians.
“If we really want to stop the war, save lives and achieve peace, we should not send weapons to the battlefield,” denounced last year the Chinese envoy for the Ukrainian question, the diplomat Li Hui .