2023 visit by Xi Jinping to Russia
Part of China–Russia relations, Russo-Ukrainian War
Putin welcomes Xi to Moscow, 21 March 2023
Date20–22 March 2023 (2023-03-20 – 2023-03-22)
LocationMoscow, Russia
ParticipantsXi Jinping
Vladimir Putin

On 20–22 March 2023, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese president, visited Russia, in his first international meeting since his re-election as president during the 2023 National People's Congress. He met with Russian president Vladimir Putin both in official and unofficial capacity. It is also the first international meeting of Vladimir Putin since the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest.

Background

A few weeks before Xi's visit, China issued a paper outlining its positions regarding de-escalation and political settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.[1] The visit came just days after China won a major diplomatic victory, bringing Iran and Saudi Arabia closer together and restoring their diplomatic relations.[2]

Hours after it was announced that Xi Jinping would visit Russia, the International Criminal Court issued a warrant to arrest Vladimir Putin.[2]

Prior to the visit, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin published separate articles; Xi said China's proposal to end the Russo-Ukrainian War reflected world opinion. Putin said he had high hopes for the visit of his "good old friend."[3]

Visit

On the morning of 20 March, Xi Jinping arrived at Vnukovo Airport, Moscow. On 21 March, he met with Vladimir Putin.[4]

Residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia after Russian rocket strikes on 22 March 2023, the second day of Xi's visit to Moscow. Xi Jinping said he has a peace plan for Ukraine.[5]

During Xi Jinping's visit, Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to discuss China's initiative for ending the conflict in Ukraine, adding that he had looked at China's proposals for a resolution of the Ukraine conflict and that he viewed them with respect.[6][7]

Reception

Xi Jinping's meeting with Putin was seen as PR victory for the Russian president amidst his increasing isolation. For China, the meeting served as a symbolic gesture of Beijing's refusal to conform to American dominance. Putin and Xi called each other "dear friends" and their body language was amicable. Putin praised the plan and blamed Ukraine and the West for rejecting it, while Xi Jinping avoided mentioning the conflict, refusing to make his stance clear.[8]

Reactions

On the same day as this event, Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida visited Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv and visited Bucha, the site of the 2022 massacre. Kishida also stated that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is not just a European matter, but a challenge to the rules and principles of the entire international community.[9]

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki expressed concern about a "dangerous" China-Russian alliance.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "China calls for a cease-fire and peace talks between Russia and Ukraine". NPR. 2023-02-24. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  2. ^ a b Gan, Nectar (2023-03-20). "Xi makes 'journey of friendship' to Moscow days after Putin's war crime warrant issued". CNN. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  3. ^ Uras, Umut; Mohamed, Edna; Hatuqa, Dalia (2023-03-20). "China's Xi arrives in Russia for state visit as Ukraine war rages". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  4. ^ "China's Xi in Russia to meet Putin over Ukraine war". Reuters. 2023-03-20. Archived from the original on 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  5. ^ "Peace plans and pipelines: What came out of the Putin-Xi talks?". Reuters. 22 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Putin Tells Xi Russia Ready To Discuss China's Ukraine Plan". Barron's. Agence France Presse. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  7. ^ "Xi Arrives in Moscow, Giving Putin Boost Amid War in Ukraine". Bloomberg News. 2023-03-20. Archived from the original on 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  8. ^ Mitchell, Andrea; De Luce, Dan (March 22, 2023). "Xi's trip to Russia boosts 'dear friend' Putin as China pushes back against U.S. power". NBC News. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  9. ^ McCarthy, Simone (March 22, 2023). "No path to peace: Five key takeaways from Xi and Putin's talks in Moscow". CNN. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  10. ^ "Poland Voices Concern About 'Dangerous' Russia-China Alliance". The Moscow Times. 22 March 2023.
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