Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday exchanged Lunar New Year greetings over the phone with President Vladimir Putin, telling his Russian counterpart that both countries should oppose interference by “external forces,” according to state media reports.
The bond between Beijing and Moscow has only strengthened in the past few years and comes at a time when much of the Western world has turned its back on Russia over its invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Just weeks before the war began, Xi agreed to a “no limits” friendship with Putin during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and then went on to sign a series of long-term energy deals.
Despite rough rounds of economic sanctions, Russia and China have managed to maintain a tight relationship, which includes taking part in high-level visits and open dialogue. Trade between the two countries hit a record high in 2023.
Xi and Putin began building their relationship when Xi came into power more than a decade ago. Xi has visited Russia nine times, while Putin has flown to Beijing 11 times, most recently in October.
During Thursday’s telephone call, Xi spoke highly of their symbiotic relationship and robust cooperation. He also called for even closer strategic collaboration between the two nations, CCTV reported.
Xi told Putin that both countries had every right to defend their sovereignty and “resolutely oppose interference in their internal affairs by external forces.”
During Thursday’s phone call, Xi also told Putin that China would be on board to strengthen international multilateral cooperation with Russia.
Xi and Putin also sent well wishes to one another on New Year’s Eve.
During their Dec. 31, 2023, telephone call, the two leaders reviewed their achievements of the past and looked forward to the future, something that “has become a good tradition between us,” CCTV reported Xi saying.
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Xi is also expected to hold talks over the phone with President Joe Biden “relatively soon,” according to U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan.
Sullivan added that following his talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok in January, the two agreed that “we would get them on the phone sooner rather than later.”
