MOSCOW: China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, concurrently holding the Communist Party’s leading foreign policy role, is set to engage in strategic security consultations with Russian counterparts from Monday to Thursday in Russia.
This visit comes after two days of meetings with US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser in Malta over the weekend.
The recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia has further exacerbated the ongoing tensions between the United States and China. While China maintains a neutral stance on the conflict, emphasizing the importance of respecting a nation’s territorial integrity, it also urges the West to consider Russia’s security apprehensions regarding NATO expansion. China alleges that the U.S. is prolonging the conflict by providing military aid to Ukraine, a move justified by the U.S. as essential for defending against Russian aggression.
In the backdrop of deteriorating relations with the West, China and Russia have strengthened their ties in recent years. China seeks support in its endeavour to reform the existing U.S.-led international order to one that aligns more with its own approach. This was demonstrated when China played a significant role in expanding the BRICS partnership, inviting six additional countries to join what was initially a five-nation bloc, inclusive of China and Russia.
During his weekend discussions with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Wang Yi delved into the complexities of the Ukraine situation. Both parties described the talks as candid, substantive, and constructive, aiming to stabilize their strained relationship while managing differences over security, trade, technology, and human rights. However, specific details of their discussions were not made public.
Wang Yi’s return to the position of Foreign Minister earlier this year came after his successor, Qin Gang, disappeared from public view, raising questions about the circumstances leading to his departure. Similarly, China’s Defense Minister, Li Shangfu, has also not been seen in public for about three weeks, sparking speculation about his current situation. While such occurrences are unusual for sitting Cabinet members, there is no clear indication of an immediate alteration in defense or foreign policy.
