Xi reaffirms support for Russian security concerns in call with Putin

Beijing, Jun 15 (EFE).- Chinese president Xi Jinping told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation Wednesday that Beijing would continue to support Moscow’s security and sovereignty concerns.

“China is willing to continue mutual support with Russia on issues related to sovereignty, security and issues of major concern,” Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The phone call was the second between the leaders since Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February.

Xi said that bilateral relations between China and Russia remained “solid” despite the global turbulence and transformations this year, state news agency Xinhua reported.

The Chinese president added that Beijing would continue to strengthen communication and coordination with Moscow in international and regional organizations such as the United Nations, the Brazil, Russia, India, China (PRC), and South Africa (BRICS) forum and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

China has made “independent judgments” on the situation in Ukraine while promoting global peace and stability, Xi said.

Putin responded that he supported China’s proposed “Global Security Initiative” and that Moscow was prepared to oppose any forces interfering in China’s internal affairs, in a clear reference to issues related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

China has refrained from calling Russia’s aggression of Ukraine an ‘invasion’ and has expressed its opposition to economic sanctions against Moscow imposed by the United States and European Union.

Despite good relations between the two countries, China has denied that it is considering providing military and economic assistance to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as reported by several media. EFE

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