Xi to visit Moscow on March 20, meet with Putin: Kremlin

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Mar 2023 11:37

The Chinese Foreign Ministry says Xi's upcoming trip to Moscow will further strengthen mutual trust and understanding between China and Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting on the sidelines of a BRICS summit, in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 13, 2019 (Sputnik)

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Moscow from March 20-22 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin confirmed on Friday.

"During the talks, topical issues of further development of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between Russia and China will be discussed," the Kremlin indicated in a statement.

According to the statement, the two leaders will also exchange views in the context of deepening Russian-Chinese cooperation in the international arena, and a number of important bilateral documents will be signed following the talks.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Sputnik that Xi will visit Moscow on March 20.

Xi's trip to further strengthen mutual trust: Chinese Foreign Ministry

Later, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin specified that Xi's upcoming trip to Moscow will be a visit of friendship that will further strengthen mutual trust and understanding between the countries.

"President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to Russia will be a friendship visit that will further strengthen mutual trust and understanding between China and Russia," Wang told reporters.

According to the Chinese spokesperson, the visit will give a new impetus to the development of relations between Russia and China, adding that Xi will hold an in-depth exchange of views with Putin on bilateral relations, as well as international and regional issues.

Wang added that China will adhere to an objective position on Ukraine and play a constructive role in advancing negotiations between Moscow and Kiev.

Xi's visit not targeting third parties

Elsewhere, the Chinese diplomat clarified that Xi's trip to Russia will be of a peaceful nature where both sides will practice true multilateralism based on the principles of non-alignment and non-targeting of third parties.

"President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia will be peaceful, both sides will practice true multilateralism based on the principles of non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting of third parties, promote the democratization of international relations, building a multipolar world, improve global governance, and contribute to global development," he told reporters.

It is noteworthy that in late February, Putin highlighted that the relations between Russia and China are reaching new milestones as they progress on the path that was planned for them in the previous years.

In late December 2022, Xi Jinping emphasized his willingness to boost ties with Moscow in 2023, adding that relations between Russia and China could "find fresh prospects for growth in 2023."

According to the Chinese President, China-Russia trade and economic cooperation have been gradually expanding, with new breakthroughs in the fields of energy and investment.

Brazil's Lula to visit China in late March

In the same context, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying announced that leftist Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will visit China at the end of the month.

"At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Federative Republic of Brazil will pay a state visit to China from March 26 to 31," Hua said in a statement.

Lula, who led Latin America's largest economy twice between 2003 and 2010, is giving the first signs of wanting to break Brazil's international isolation after four years under far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro.

The visit will be Lula's first to China since taking office in January.

In his inauguration speech in Congress, he announced a new role for Brazil in the world by resuming "South American integration" and the reconstruction of the "high and active dialogue with the United States, the European Community and China."

China is Brazil's top trade partner, with $152.6 billion in bilateral trade last year, while the US is a distant second, at $88.8 billion.

Lula has expressed a desire to resume cordial ties with China in stark contrast with Bolsonaro. Following his inauguration, an official said the new President would seek to visit China "after March".