President promotes stability amid crisis

Beijing, Moscow to oppose hegemonism, unilateralism, bloc confrontation, global power politics in any form

President Xi Jinping wrapped up his three-day state visit to Russia on March 22, a trip of special significance in boosting bilateral ties and promoting global strategic stability amid the ongoing Ukraine crisis.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang described the visit as “a historic trip of friendship, peace and cooperation” while briefing the Chinese media after conclusion of the visit.

The two presidents signed and released a joint statement on deepening the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, in which the two sides made it clear that ChinaRussia relations transcend those of a Cold War military-political alliance and have the nature of no-alliance, no-confrontation and not targeting any third party.

While underlining the need for China and Russia to boost pragmatic cooperation in various fields, the two countries reiterated their commitment in the joint statement to firmly upholding the international system with the United Nations at the core, opposing hegemonism, unilateralism and power politics in any form, and opposing bloc confrontation and the forming of small circles that target a specific country.

On the Ukraine crisis, the two countries stressed that responsible dialogue is the best way to achieve appropriate solutions.

They called for stopping all moves leading to tensions and the protraction of the conflict, and opposing any unilateral sanctions not authorized by the UN Security Council, the statement said.

They also expressed their concerns about the continuous strengthening of NATO’s military ties in the AsiaPacific and its negative influence on regional peace and security.

Observers said President Xi’s visit to Russia, his first overseas trip since being elected earlier this month, projects the significant role of China in promoting peace and finding diplomatic solutions to the Ukraine crisis via dialogue.

They also said that two major countries in the world strengthening their relationship is crucial to each other’s development and to the global geopolitical landscape.

Sergey Malakhov, executive director of the Institute for the Development of Parliamentarism in Russia, said the meeting between the two leaders has significant meaning not only for Russia but also for the international community, as Western countries are waging an aggressive public political campaign to put pressure on Russia, seeking to weaken the country’s position on the international stage.

During his joint news conference with Putin on March 21, Xi said that China-Russia relations go far beyond the bilateral scope and are crucial to the world and the future of mankind.

Martin Jacques, a British scholar, said Xi’s visit is timely as China moves to play a role in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict after successfully brokering a rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia “in a dramatic fashion”. The West, and particularly the US, intends to continue the conflict, while both Russia and Ukraine want to create the most favorable conditions for themselves before talking about a cease-fire or negotiations, he said.

President Xi and Putin emphasized that the Ukraine crisis should be resolved through dialogue.

The two sides pointed out that in order to settle the Ukraine crisis, the security concerns of all countries must be respected, while bloc confrontation and fanning the flames should be avoided.

“China is now seen more widely as a potential broker,” said Jacques.

The contrast between Xi and some Western politicians is vivid in the current global crisis, said Macharia Munene, a professor of history and international relations at United States International University-Africa in Kenya.

The Russia visit reinforces Xi’s position as an advocate of global peace, while some politicians in the West “seem like perpetual warmongers that are hostile to cease-fires”, Munene said.

Imtiaz Gul, executive director of the Center for Research and Security Studies in Pakistan, said that China pushing for peace through mediation and US-led NATO countries talking against a cease-fire and sending more weapons to Ukraine present remarkably contrasting positions.

Carlos Martinez, a British commentator and co-editor of Friends of Socialist China, said Beijing has maintained a principled position of neutrality and genuinely wants to see an end to the conflict. China is not supplying weapons to either side; and it is a major power and UNSC member.

Furthermore, China recently scored a historic diplomatic success, by helping to broker a restoration of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which has been greeted with jubilation throughout the region.

China’s 12-point paper highlights a road towards peace, Martinez said. Both Russia and Ukraine have indicated their interest in the paper, although the US — which seems determined to prolong the war — has dismissed it.

Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, executive director of the Center for South Asia & International Studies Islamabad, noted the assurance of Russian President Vladimir Putin about the resumption of talks during the meeting with Xi.

The two presidents sent messages of peace, progress, and participation in resolving the hotspots issues through dialogue, diplomacy and development, which is a good omen.

Munene, at United States International University-Africa, said that since Ukraine and Russia both bear huge losses, it is in the interests of both to find a way out.

Jacques, the British scholar, said that the world is still under Western and US hegemony, but the RussiaUkraine conflict shows the serious limitations of US influence.

The US and Europe are too deeply involved in the conflict, so they have little room for maneuvering, while countries like China, India, South Africa and Indonesia have more leeway, he added.

Gul, the Pakistani researcher, noted India’s refusal to go along with the US narrative on Ukraine, and said China’s 12 points, as stated in its recent position paper on the Ukraine situation, demonstrate its concerns and desire “to work for peace rather than fueling war through supplies of weapons like the Western nations have been doing”.

Jacques said China’s position paper on the Ukraine crisis has been taken more seriously in the West than he expected, and he believes China wants to be “a voice of authority, reason, cease-fire, settlement, fairness and anti-blocs”.

China-Russia relations go far beyond the bilateral scope and are crucial to the world and the future of mankind.

XI JINPING

Chinese president