Premier Li Qiang arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for a four-day visit to Russia and Belarus, aiming to bolster China-Russia ties despite Western criticism of Beijing’s relationship with Moscow during the Ukraine war. Image: Alexey Filippov/Sputnik/AP
(The Post News)- Chinese Premier Li Qiang is set to visit Moscow on Wednesday for a four-day trip to Russia and Belarus.
This visit comes amid Western criticism of China’s close relationship with Russia during the Ukraine conflict.
Despite this criticism, Beijing continues to maintain and strengthen its ties with the Kremlin.
Li Qiang, China’s second-highest official, will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss China-Russia relations with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during his visit to Moscow, according to a report from Russia’s state news agency Tass.
After being welcomed by Russian officials and an honour guard upon his arrival at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport on Tuesday, Li praised the two nations’ relations.
Upon Li’s arrival, a statement said the visit aimed to “deepen mutually beneficial cooperation.”
It noted that “China-Russia relations in the new era have demonstrated new energy and vitality, with increased political trust, successful cooperation across various fields, strong friendship, and close international coordination.”
The premier’s visit to Russia is part of an annual meeting with the Russian prime minister. It is the first visit by a high-ranking Chinese official since Ukrainian soldiers unexpectedly crossed into Russia’s Kursk region two weeks ago.
This invasion, the first foreign incursion into Russian territory since World War II, has shocked Russia and comes amid increasing calls to end the ongoing Ukraine conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
A spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry urged all “parties” not to broaden the battlefield, intensify hostilities, and “fuel the flame” in response to a media inquiry about the situation last week.
The spokesperson also stated that China would keep pushing for a “political settlement of the crisis.”
Beijing is under increasing pressure from the West to limit the shipment of dual-use commodities to Russia, including manufacturing, aerospace, and technology equipment.
Kyiv and other Western politicians have claimed that these exports are helping the Russian war effort.
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