Russia and China Send Their First Message to the New US Administration…
Saying that China–Russia ties would not be broken, Xi Jinping said that this was a signal, a message, for the US.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, conveying a clear message to the US, said that his country’s ties with Russia would withstand any international crisis.
Emphasising the “strong individual value” of the China-Russia relationship, Jinping told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin: “China, in order to develop the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Russia in the new era, we will always remain faithful to all agreements and projections without any deviation.”
As the shared view of Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, they thus also stated that the relationship between China and Russia could not be severed by any third country and that they would withstand any international crisis.
The details of this conversation came after it was said, according to a German news bulletin, that all EU member states had agreed to sign the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment.
In his video conference with Russian President Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that the relationship between China and Russia has a strong independent value. He said that China-Russia relations are not affected by changes in the international situation or by the interference of other factors. He also underlined that by strengthening strategic cooperation between China and Russia they have the power to resist effectively attempts to suppress and divide the two countries.
(A few days earlier, the armed forces of both countries had conducted flight exercises, flying nuclear-capable bombers over the East China Sea, which caused Japan to scramble fighter jets to monitor the situation.)
This conversation came a few days after the US imposed sanctions on Russian and Chinese companies accused of having military ties, on charges mostly rejected by the Chinese companies; these companies were placed on the list of blacklisted companies, which means that US citizens cannot invest in them.
China has also signed up to a regional trade bloc that is the largest in the world.
The statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry recalled once more these words of Xi: “China-Russia relations are not affected by changes in the international situation or by the interference of other factors. Strengthening strategic cooperation between China and Russia will effectively resist attempts to suppress and divide the two countries”, and with these words the determination of the two countries was underlined once again.
Jinping’s words also signalled that, before Joe Biden takes office on 20 January 2021, they would move ahead with rapid steps to consolidate all work so that China’s ties with other countries reach a positive outcome.
Senior Chinese officials have, in recent weeks, held talks with countries in South-East Asia and Europe, and have even visited them, after Washington imposed sanctions and promised to be tough on both Beijing and Moscow.
In response to these visits, Biden conveyed that “On any issue that matters to the US-China relationship – from pursuing a foreign policy for the middle class, including a trade and economic agenda that protects American workers, our intellectual property and the environment – to ensuring security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, to championing human rights, we will be stronger and more effective with countries that share our vision”.
Saying that any crisis would only push China-Russia relations to “stand out” even more, Xi also pointed to the gain of the effective structure in which, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the two countries drew closer to and helped one another.
Xi also conveyed that “The two sides have continued to help each other to overcome difficulties and continue to support each other firmly on issues concerning each other’s core interests, which is enough to reflect the high level of mutual trust and friendship between the two states”.
On Tuesday, Russia’s Ambassador to China, Andrey Denisov, said that relations between the two countries were strong enough to resist the influence of “external factors”, including a new US government.
In a statement made in Beijing, Denisov said: “The two countries have entered into a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, and no external factor can affect bilateral relations.”
While both Xi and Putin said their countries were open to working with the new US administration, Denisov said it remained to be seen whether the US would “take a more rational position” in its relations with China and Russia.
Denisov put it in these terms: “We are waiting for the new US administration to take office; the leaders of China and Russia, our willingness to cooperate with the new US government will continue, including exploring new points of cooperation in order to improve areas that are currently in difficulty”. And in addition: “We hope that the new US government will adopt a more rational attitude towards China and Russia, but this is a hope, and whether it comes true depends on the next move of the US administration.”
An investment agreement between China and the European Union is also expected to be completed shortly, on the basis of the understanding reached after seven years of negotiations.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his wish to recall once again, with respect, the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation as an important milestone in bilateral relations. He added that Russia would maintain its determination to advance the high-level development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.
Putin said they would proceed in the hope that the two countries would continue to support each other on matters of great importance and could enhance strategic coordination and cooperation in international affairs in order to contribute to global stability.
“Systemic rival”
While Donald Trump’s administration entered into a war of words with Beijing, Brussels adopted a balanced approach.
EU states regard China as a “systemic rival” and have voiced their concerns about China’s rights record; in particular its restrictions in Hong Kong and its treatment of the Uyghurs are also on their agenda.
Berlin wanted the agreement to be signed at the joint EU-China summit in September, but as a result of the limited talks held under online conditions because of the coronavirus, the agreement could not be signed.
The New Year greetings video conference between the Presidents of China and Russia ended with a reaffirmation of their shared willingness to increase cooperation in the international arena.
Translated from the Turkish original.