BSS
  08 Feb 2024, 18:18

Xi tells Putin China, Russia should oppose interference

BEIJING, Feb 8, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - China's President Xi Jinping on Thursday 
told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that both countries should oppose 
interference by "external forces", Chinese state media reported, as the two 
leaders spoke on the phone to mark Lunar New Year.

Beijing and Moscow are staunch allies and have strengthened their 
relationship even as many countries have turned their backs on Russia over 
its invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

The two sides have maintained a steady flow of high-level visits and 
dialogue, and trade between them reached a record high in 2023.

During Thursday's phone call, Xi said that they "should closely collaborate 
strategically, defend the sovereignty, security and development interests of 
their respective countries, and resolutely oppose interference in internal 
affairs by external forces", a readout from state broadcaster CCTV said.

Putin told Xi that ties between China and Russia were at "an unprecedentedly 
high level", a Kremlin readout said.

Beijing has drawn criticism from Ukraine's allies for its stance on the war, 
on which China insists it is neutral.

China itself has been denounced, notably by the United States, over a number 
of thorny issues, including increasingly belligerent behaviour towards self-
ruled democratic Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory.

"In discussing the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, the Russian 
President reaffirmed his principled position on the Taiwan issue, which is to 
support the 'one China' policy," said the Kremlin readout.

Xi said China and Russia had "weathered many storms together", CCTV reported.

"Looking ahead, China-Russia relations are facing new opportunities for 
development," he said.