“China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Ukraine issue,” Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Moscow on Monday.
China Rejects “Cold War Mentality” of West
Noting that “voices for peace and rationality are building,” Xi said most countries support easing tensions, peace talks, and are “against adding fuel to the fire.” “A review of history shows that conflicts in the end have to be settled through dialogue and negotiation.”
BREAKING: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Russia for a three-day state visit, when he's expected to deliver a strong message of support for Vladimir Putin https://t.co/ZXpEoSOF9H pic.twitter.com/vNKf5gjy8x
— Bloomberg (@business) March 20, 2023
In this respect, Xi reiterated that China advocates for a “political settlement of the crisis” and rejects the “Cold War mentality” of the West, arguing that the imposition of unilateral sanctions will not work.
“The more acute the problem is, the more important it is not to give up efforts for dialogue,” Xi emphasised.
China-Russia Partnership a “Bulwark for World Peace”
Appearing to push back against a Chinese historian’s claim that Russia was bad luck for China, Xi stressed that “there is a profound historical logic for China-Russia relationship to reach where it is today.”
Stressing that both countries share a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” the Chinese leader noted that Beijing and Moscow are committed to “support world multi-polarity and work for greater democracy in international relations.”
China &Russia are each other's biggest neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination. Both countries see their relationship as a high priority in their overall diplomacy and policy on external affairs: Xi said during a meeting with #Putinpic.twitter.com/IoZk0Ifya2
— Zhang Meifang张美芳 (@CGMeifangZhang) March 21, 2023
Urging the deepening of China-Russia cooperation in multilateral fora like the UN, Xi said the countries should “be a bulwark for world peace and stability.”
Putin Welcomes China’s “Fair and Balanced” Stance
Calling Xi a “dear friend,” Putin thanked China for taking a “fair and balanced” stance on the conflict. Highlighting that Chinese policies are guided by the “principles of justice and respect” for international law, Putin said Moscow is carefully studying Beijing’s proposals for resolving the conflict.
The Russian leader was referring to the Chinese 12-point peace plan to end the Ukraine war. In the plan, Beijing urges Moscow and Kyiv to end all hostilities and start peace talks.
“Overall, [Russia and China’s] interaction in the international arena is promoting the fundamental principles of international order and multipolarity,” Putin said.