.
China
20 May 2026 09:20 - 13:25 /CST/ The China-Russia declaration on the emergence of a multipolar world and a new type of international relations marks the two countries’ latest efforts to dictate the direction on global affairs. Such declarations, which go beyond the scope of bilateral relations, reflect Beijing’s trust in Moscow as a partner in promoting themselves as self-proclaimed defenders of international order, ’amid concerns of the world falling into disarray with Trump as US president,’ Tang wrote at BBC Monitoring. This is a flexible strategic partnership. Neither Russia nor China pass judgement on the actions of the other. On Ukraine, Russia and China said the root causes of the conflict must be removed – ’a phrase borrowed from the Kremlin's rhetoric’ justifying the invasion, Chief analyst, BBC Monitoring Shevchenko wrote. Xi and Putin are increasingly positioning themselves as the vanguards of a new international order. Russia and China's joint statement condemns various forms of military adventurism around the world, and appears to reference the United States's actions in Iran and Venezuela over the past six months. Xi and Putin call out ’treacherous military strikes against other countries, the hypocritical use of negotiations as cover for preparing such strikes, the assassination of leaders of sovereign states, the destabilisation of the domestic political situation in these states and the provocation of regime change, and the brazen kidnapping of national leaders for trial’. China and Russia have called on countries to stop ’unilaterally’ interfering with international trade and supply chains - an apparent reference to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz - in additional comments from the joint statement published by the Kremlin. The statement reads: "The parties note with concern that unilateral actions by individual states, interstate associations, and their allies that impede international shipping threaten the integrity of global supply chains and maritime trade in general’. The statement does not explicitly name the key waterway, but goes on to call to avoid politicisation and excessive emphasis on security issues. China and Russia in their joint statement denounce the US' planned Golden Dome project and the prospect of launching weapons into space. Modelled on Israel's famous Iron Dome, and initially named the Iron Dome of America, the Golden Dome is a planned multi-layer missile defence system that would detect and destroy enemy ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles. It would encompass the whole of Earth via a constellation of several thousand orbiting satellites. Such technology, the joint statement says, ’poses a clear threat to strategic stability’. "This significantly increases the risk of conflicts in space, contributes to the militarisation of outer space and its transformation into a site of armed confrontation, runs counter to the principles of the peaceful use of outer space... and leads to an aggravation of an already difficult situation,’ the statement says. In China and Russia's joint statement the countries say they are seriously concerned about Japan's accumulation of sensitive nuclear materials and the ’highly provocative steps’ of Japan's right-wing forces to revise its non-nuclear principles. The joint statement says that Japan's current course of ’accelerated re-armament’ poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the region. In recent months China has used international forums to accuse PM Sanae Takaichi of leading her country away from its post-war pacifism. The joint statement also notes that any expansion of the Western military alliance into Asia-Pacific is incompatible with strengthening regional security. Russia and China's comments come as Japan and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) have stepped up cooperation in recent months. Delegation of Nato envoys visited Tokyo last month. Japan reportedly is in talks to join a Nato defence startup accelerator. The Japanese government says it is only strengthening defence capabilities. President Xi is no longer as reliant on US trade and his country’s dominance in rare earth minerals and manufacturing has given him leverage, China correspondent Bicker wrote. The Chinese leader has also spent the last few months welcoming guests from all over the world. And now comes Putin. He does appear to have a close personal relationship with Xi. Putin was a primary participant in Beijing's Belt and Road forums over the years, highlighting the importance of economic and infrastructural cooperation between Russia and China. In February 2022, Putin also visited Beijing for the Winter Olympics, during which the two leaders affirmed a no limits bilateral partnership. This came just days before Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In September last year, the Russian president attended a military parade to mark China's victory over Japan in World War Two. This parade was also attended by North Korea's leader Kim. Putin’s trip to China was always on the calendar for the end of May to help mark the 25th anniversary of the Sino-Russian Treat of Friendship signed in 2001. Xi may be eager to showcase all these visits as proof, that when it comes to economic and diplomatic power, all roads lead to Beijing. China has extended its visa-free policy for Russians until the end of 2027, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. Russian nationals can now enter China without a visa for up to 30 days. The policy began as a one-year trial last September. Putin and Xi will discuss international issues in their private tea meeting later, including “Ukraine, Iran and relations with the United States", President Putin’s foreign policy aide Ushakov said. Xi and Putin are wapping up their talks in Beijing with a banquet. The Russian leader is due to depart Beijing in a few hours time. (Source: BBC - United Kingdom)
.6 6 7
