BEIJING: Chinese Premier Li Qiang will visit Russia and Belarus this week, China’s foreign ministry said on Monday. Li’s trip comes as Russia and China ramp up economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a regular media briefing that under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, China-Russia ties have eliminated external interference and maintained stable and healthy development.
She said in a statement PM Li’s trip from Tuesday to Friday would include the 29th regular meeting between Russian and Chinese heads of government. Mao stated Li planned to “exchange in-depth views on practical cooperation in bilateral ties and matters of common concern in talks with Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin.
China and Russia’s strategic partnership has grown closer since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which China has never denounced. China presents itself as a neutral country in the conflict and says it is not sending lethal help to either side, unlike the US and other Western countries.
However, Beijing is a close political and economic ally of Moscow and NATO members have branded China a “decisive enabler” of the conflict.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko had visited Beijing twice last year, pledging in December to be a “reliable partner” to China.
Belarus relies on Russia for financial and political support and was used as a launchpad for Russia’s assault against Kyiv in February 2022.
It officially joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in July, becoming the 10th member of the expanding alliance of nations Beijing sees as a potential counterweight to the world order led by Washington.
