Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China and Russia are to “lead the correct direction of global governance reform” in a partnership, according to state media CCTV.
The growing partnership between the two countries was “a strategic choice made by both countries based on the fundamental interests of their respective countries and peoples,” CCTV reported.
“Both sides also need to strengthen communication and collaboration within multilateral mechanisms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the BRICS countries, lead the correct direction of global governance reform, and safeguard the common interests of emerging market countries and developing countries,” CCTV added.
The statement comes as Xi met with Russia’s speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko.
Matviyenko informed reporters following the meeting: “The main thing that I got out of all the meetings and conversations is that China will consistently and steadily continue to cooperate with the Russian Federation, to maintain the friendship that exists between our countries and peoples.”
“We stand together for equal cooperation. We come out together against interference in internal affairs, for the right of each country to determine its own path and choice in its development,” she added.
Xi noted China was “willing to continue to work with Russia to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership of mutual assistance, deep integration, innovation, and inclusive cooperation in the new era.”
Reporting from Insider Paper:
On Monday, Western leaders gathered in Lithuania’s capital ahead of a summit expected to present unity on Ukraine’s future membership of the NATO military alliance — a prospect Russia has reacted furiously to. Beijing says it is a neutral party in the war, but its refusal to condemn the invasion has led many of Kyiv’s allies to accuse it of favouring Russia.
