The Russian-Chinese honeymoon is still going strong. Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Russian-Chinese relations on Sunday, “at the highest point” in their history, expressing his “great expectations” of talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the eve of his visit to Russia. “Russian-Chinese relations have reached the highest point in their history and continue to strengthen,” Vladimir Putin said in an article written for the Chinese People’s Daily newspaper and published by the Kremlin.
The quality of the ties between Moscow and Beijing is “superior to that of the political and military unions of the times of the Cold War”, he estimated. In relations between Moscow and Beijing, “there are no limits, nor prohibited subjects”, according to the master of the Kremlin.
“Our political dialogue is frank to the maximum, while our strategic cooperation has become comprehensive and is entering a new era,” he said. “It is China relations that are the cornerstone of regional and global stability today, boost economic growth and serve as a guarantor of a positive agenda in international affairs,” he said.
“Double Deterrence”
Under conditions where the United States pursues a policy of “double deterrence” of Russia and China, Moscow and Beijing “work to create a security system that is fair, open, inclusive and not directed against third countries, both regionally and globally,” according to Mr. Putin.
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He also denounced NATO’s attempts to extend its influence, “by heading for the Asia-Pacific region”. “Some forces are insistently seeking to restart the Eurasian space in exclusive clubs and military blocs aimed at hampering the development of our countries, undermining our interests,” the Russian leader said. “But no one will get there,” he said.
“We have great expectations of the next talks” with Mr. Xi, said Vladimir Putin, stressing that he had “no doubt that they will give a powerful new impetus to all bilateral cooperation”. According to the Russian president, the meeting with Mr. Xi, expected Monday in Moscow for a three-day visit, will also be an opportunity for him to “see a good old friend” with whom he has the “warmest relations”.