Beijing/Moscow (EFE).- Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in Russia next Monday for a three-day official visit, the Kremlin announced today.
“The talks will address current issues of the further development of partnership relations and strategic interaction between Russia and China,” the Russian presidency said in a statement.
For his part, Chinese Foreign Affairs spokesman Wang Wenbin commented today at a press conference that Xi’s trip will be “a peace visit” and that Beijing “will maintain its objective and fair position on the Ukraine crisis” and “play a constructive role in promoting peace talks”.
“The visit will be about friendship and aims to deepen mutual trust between the two countries. The two leaders will exchange views on their pragmatic cooperation and common concerns, and further push for connectivity based on the projects of the New Silk Roads and the Eurasian Economic Union,” Wang said.
The two countries will also work to “jointly safeguard the stability of the industrial chain, deepen exchanges at all levels to consolidate their friendship, promote cooperation, and inject more positive energy into the world economic recovery,” according to Wang.
China insists on its “constructive role” in achieving peace in Ukraine
China insisted today that it will play a “constructive role” in promoting “peace talks” in Ukraine.
This was made known last night by the Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, and the Ukrainian counterpart, Dmitró Kuleba. in a telephone conversation, a message insisted on by Foreign Affairs spokesman Wang Wenbin after announcing Xi’s visit to Russia.
Meanwhile, Qin assured Kuleba that China will try to help “a cessation of hostilities, alleviation of the crisis and the restoration of peace between Ukraine and Russia.”
With the call to Kuleba and the visit of Xi, China, which insists that it has always maintained “an objective and impartial position” on the conflict, seems to present its credentials as a mediator after interceding between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore their relations diplomatic.
China has sent war material to Russia, according to POLITICO
But the alleged shipment of Chinese weapons to Russia may become an obstacle to that mediation.
According to the US publication POLITICAL, Chinese companies, including one connected to the Beijing government, have sent Russian entities 1,000 assault rifles and other equipment that could be used for military purposes, including drone parts and bulletproof vests.
The outlet ensures that the shipments were made between June and December 2022, according to data provided by ImportGenius, a customs data aggregator to which it has had access.
Although the customs data does not show that Beijing is selling a large number of weapons to Moscow specifically, the magazine clarifies, it does reveal that China is supplying Russian companies with “dual-use” equipment and trade items that could also be used in the field. battle in Ukraine.
POLITICO recalls that even though Western sanctions have hindered Moscow’s ability to import products, Russia can still buy supplies to support its war effort from “friendly” countries that do not follow the new Western rules, such as China or the countries of the Gulf.