Chinese Communist leader Xi Jinping held a lengthy private discussion and joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, where he declared that China and Russia were united in defending the “global multilateral trading system,” a statement that appeared to allude to opposition to President Donald Trump’s trade reforms.
Xi is visiting Russia to take part in the country’s “Victory Parade,” a celebration that commemorates the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. The event has increasingly been used by the Kremlin to diminish America’s central part in that victory. Moscow’s Victory Day commemorations are known for glorifying Soviet military might and hosting officials from communist-aligned nations such as China, Venezuela, and Cuba. Russian authorities have previously dismissed D-Day as insignificant to the overall outcome of the war.
Chinese state-run media distributed photos of Xi and Putin clasping hands following their closed-door meeting. The two leaders reportedly signed undisclosed agreements during their talks.
During his media remarks, Xi emphasized a commitment to rewriting World War II history in ways that diminish America’s contributions. He pledged China’s assistance to Russia in “dutifully and bravely protecting the truth about the history of World War II.” Chinese troops from the People’s Liberation Army will take part in Friday’s military parade, after spending the week conducting rehearsals in Moscow’s Red Square.
Despite recent drone and missile threats from Ukraine, Russia has pressed ahead with its parade planning. Since 2014, when Putin first seized Crimea, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has intensified, peaking in 2022 with Russia’s broader invasion. In response, Ukrainian forces have carried out operations in Russian territories like Kursk and Bryansk and even struck near Moscow’s main airport in the lead-up to the parade. The Kremlin announced a temporary “ceasefire” with Ukraine to coincide with the WWII commemoration.
Although China once had positive relations with Ukraine, it has refrained from condemning Russia’s actions. Instead, Beijing has portrayed itself as a possible neutral mediator. Its diplomatic efforts to broker peace in 2023, however, made no significant progress toward ending the conflict.
Xi also used Thursday’s remarks to underscore what he called a period of “unprecedented global changes,” reinforcing his intention to collaborate with Russia in bringing what he described as “valuable stability and positive energy” to the world stage.
“Noting that China has for years been a main contributor to and stabilizer of global economic growth, Xi said China stands ready to work with Russia to safeguard the global multilateral trading system and keep the industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded,” according to the Chinese government-controlled Xinhua News Agency.
Russia’s state media outlet Tass also quoted Xi as praising the long-standing partnership between the two countries, saying it was “an imperative for the continuation of centuries-long friendship between the two peoples and a mandatory choice to make new achievements in terms of the prosperity and revival of our countries.”
“This responds to the call of our time for protecting international justice and promoting reform of the global governance system,” Xi added.
Though Xi did not name the United States or President Donald Trump directly, his call to defend the current global trade structure clearly appeared to counter President Trump’s plan to reset international trade. On April 2, Trump announced sweeping tariffs on virtually all American trade partners, aiming to push them into renegotiating deals that favor U.S. interests. China, alone among major economies, has so far refused to engage in discussions, likening trade negotiations to “drinking poison.”
Recent reporting suggests that Beijing, now feeling the sting of economic fallout caused by Trump’s tariff pause for all other countries and the steep 145% duties on Chinese goods, might finally be reconsidering. Vice-Premier He Lifeng has reportedly been chosen to lead any talks. On Wednesday, He claimed—despite strong evidence to the contrary—that “China’s economy is off to a good start so far this year.”
Russia, already largely cut off from U.S. trade under Joe Biden’s administration due to its aggression against Ukraine, is unaffected by the Trump tariff initiative. Nevertheless, Putin took the opportunity to commend Xi for strengthening the bilateral partnership and spotlighted China’s role in enhancing ties.
“Our political interaction is strengthening, practical cooperation is deepening, and cultural, humanitarian, exchange, and interregional ties are gaining momentum,” Putin said, as quoted by RT, a pro-Kremlin media outlet.
“We are developing our ties for the benefit of both peoples and not against anyone,” Putin added. “Our relations are equal, mutually beneficial, and not opportunistic. The intention to build good-neighborliness, strengthen friendship, and expand cooperation is a strategic choice made by Russia and China.”
{Matzav.com}