Advertisement
‘Priority partners’: Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin hit out at US in China-Russia show of solidarity
- A day of pomp and talks ends with a salvo aimed squarely at American efforts to divide the world into blocs
- The two leaders offer each other support on core issues amid questions about just how far their ‘no-limits’ ties can go
Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
99+
When Chinese President Xi Jinping rolled out the red carpet in Beijing for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s first international trip of his new term, the two leaders sought to not only show support for each other but also present a united front to the rest of the world.
Advertisement
In a lengthy joint statement signed after a meeting with senior officials and then talks with a small group of close aides, the two leaders reaffirmed that each country was the other’s “priority partner”.
They also lashed out at the United States, blaming the US for everything from “extending nuclear deterrence” with allies including Australia, to developing high-precision non-nuclear weapons for potential “decapitation” strikes, the economic difficulties in Afghanistan and “intimidation in the military sphere and provocation” of North Korea.
“The United States still thinks in terms of the Cold War and is guided by the logic of bloc confrontation, putting the security of ‘narrow groups’ above regional security and stability, which creates a security threat for all countries in the region. The US must abandon this behaviour,” the statement said.
03:07
Xi welcomes ‘old friend’ Putin to Beijing, affirms strength of China-Russia bond
Xi welcomes ‘old friend’ Putin to Beijing, affirms strength of China-Russia bond
The world was a multipolar one and resources and opportunities should be redistributed for the emerging markets and developing countries.
Advertisement
Advertisement