Chinese President Xi Jinping met leaders from Russia, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Wednesday. Here is a summary of his discussions:
Russia
Xi welcomed Russia’s commitment to the ‘One China’ policy and stressed that “Taiwan is part of China.” The Chinese leader reaffirmed Beijing’s opposition to Taiwanese separatist forces and condemned external interference on the issue, referring to the US’ support for Taiwan’s independence. “No country is entitled to act as a judge on the Taiwan question,” Xi asserted. He vowed to improve Russia-China ties “based on the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.”
Putin, meanwhile, praised China’s “balanced position” on the Ukraine war, but said that he “understands” its “questions and your concerns in this regard,” indicating that China may have reservations about the Ukraine war.
President Xi Jinping said China is ready to work with Russia in extending strong support to each other on issues concerning their respective core interests when he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of SCO summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/LOTnWZaV1P
— Zhang Heqing张和清 (@zhang_heqing) September 16, 2022
Mongolia, Russia
Xi also hosted a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, to discuss “current issues related to developing our cooperation.”
Xi put forth a four-point proposal to further trilateral cooperation:
- Deepen political trust, increase mutual support, and respect and accommodate each other’s core interests.
- Jointly build a platform of cooperation against risks and challenges
- Follow through on the common understanding reached on the building of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor
- Support the expansion of settlement in local currencies in mutual trade
Putin proposed expanding the Russian-Chinese-Mongolian economic corridor. He agreed to renew the project for another five-year period, as it is “making good progress.” He also spoke of plans to renovate the Naushki checkpoint on the Russian-Mongolian border to help increase cargo transit capacity to 15 million tonnes by 2025.
🇷🇺🇨🇳Vladimir Putin to Xi Jinping: "The foreign policy tandem of Moscow & Beijing plays a key role in ensuring global & regional stability. We jointly stand for the formation of a just, democratic & multipolar world order based on international rules & the central role of the UN" pic.twitter.com/N9pMTjPXEx
— Temur Umarov 马铁木 (@TUmarov) September 15, 2022
The Russian leader added that “expanding cooperation with China and Mongolia in the energy sector holds promise.” To this end, he said the construction of the Soyuz Vostok gas pipeline from Russia to China across Mongolia is “part of the current agenda.” He also added that Gazprom is “in the final stages of discussing project details with the Chinese and Mongolian parties.”
Azerbaijan
In his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Xi stressed that the two sides need to plan bilateral relations “from a strategic height,” as it will “increase strategic mutual trust, strengthen mutual support,” and “deepen mutually beneficial cooperation.”
He invited Azerbaijan to join China in implementing the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI). He further noted that both countries “need to expand trade, improve the trade mix, increase the number of China-Europe Express freight train services, and ensure unimpeded international supply chains.”
The Chinese statement made no mention of the renewed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. However, its emphasis on Baku’s respect for the ‘One China’ policy suggests that Beijing is not willing to wade in.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Wed to attend the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO. At the airport, Xi was warmly greeted by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev & other officials.pic.twitter.com/hWf62A64Z5
— Zhang Meifang张美芳 (@CGMeifangZhang) September 15, 2022
Aliyev, meanwhile, said that Azerbaijan “always supported the territorial integrity and sovereignty of China,” and showed appreciation for China’s “unequivocal support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.”
They also noted “excellent prospects” to “increase trade, promote investment, and cooperate in energy, agriculture, transport, logistics, e-commerce, automobile transportation and other fields, increase student exchange, and step up direct relations between the cities of the two countries.”
Tajikistan
During his meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Xi said that bilateral relations had “achieved leapfrog growth.” The Chinese leader also expressed “readiness to enhance practical cooperation” by expanding imports from Tajikistan and advancing cooperation in infrastructure, water management, and transportation. They also discussed cooperation in green technology, digital economy, and artificial intelligence, and assisting Tajikistan in “promoting cross-border transportation capability.”
Rahmon said that his government is willing to “promote practical cooperation” in areas such as “economy and trade, agriculture, transportation, production capacity, and green economy.”
A memorandum of understanding on China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway construction cooperation (Kyrgyzstan section) has been signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Uzbekistan: FM. pic.twitter.com/cO2XBcSBOR
— Zhang Meifang张美芳 (@CGMeifangZhang) September 16, 2022
Kyrgyzstan
In his meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, Xi said that they need to “synergise development strategies and implement well the Medium and Long-Term Economic and Trade Cooperation Plan.” He also voiced his support for the implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway project.
Japarov responded that there are “no unresolved political issues preventing the development of bilateral cooperation” between the two countries and also expressed interest in “accelerating the practical implementation” of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway construction project.
Uzbekistan
During his meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Xi welcomed Uzbekistan to participate in the China International Import Expo and “share in more of the development opportunities brought by China’s massive market.” He also expressed willingness to improve the trans-Eurasia transportation corridor and “make an early start” in constructing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. Xi stressed that they should expand energy cooperation and jointly ensure the safe operation of the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline. He added that they need to “promote people-to-people exchanges” and foster cooperation in education, culture, tourism, sub-national exchanges, environmental protection, and archaeology.
Xi also accepted the Order of Friendship from his Uzbek counterpart, who said that “under the personal care and guidance” of Xi, bilateral relations between China and Uzbekistan have become more “mature and full of vitality” and “reached an unprecedented height.”
Established over 20 yrs ago, the #SCO has successfully explored a development path for a new type of intl organizations & accumulated significant experiences, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Samarkand on Fri. pic.twitter.com/tFmgEIRSee
— Zhang Meifang张美芳 (@CGMeifangZhang) September 16, 2022
Belarus
In his meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Xi noted that upgrading bilateral relations to an “all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership” was “a historic leap.” “China will maintain close exchanges with Belarus, carry out mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation in investment, economy and trade and other fields, and develop a green, smart, eco-friendly and digitally advanced China-Belarus Industrial Park,” Xi said.
Lukashenko said that Belarus firmly supports China’s national reunification and its position on Taiwan-related issues.