Enlarge image
Autocrats Xi, Putin (in March 2023 in Moscow): Together against the USA
Photo: ALEXEY MAYSHEV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL / EPA
According to the Kremlin, it was a one-hour, friendly conversation: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese colleague Xi Jinping apparently promised each other support and reiterated their common criticism of the USA.
Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said after the phone call that there was a unanimous rejection of US interference in the affairs of other countries. Both presidents are of the opinion “that the USA is pursuing a policy of double containment – of Russia and of China.” It was also reaffirmed that “Moscow and Beijing support each other on key issues that affect their interests.”
When attacking Ukraine, Russia shows no qualms about interfering in other countries' affairs. Because of the war, Russia is largely isolated from Western countries. The leadership in Moscow is increasingly turning to China to mitigate the consequences of Western sanctions.
Defend against foreign “interference.”
Chinese state television CCTV reported that Xi told Putin that both countries should resist foreign "interference." The USA was not mentioned by name. However, China and Russia regularly accuse the USA and other Western countries of interfering in their internal affairs - for example with regard to Taiwan or the Russian offensive against Ukraine.
Putin reiterated his support for a one-China principle. This refers to China's state policy towards Taiwan. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that should be integrated into the People's Republic. Consequently, it does not want diplomatic relations with states that recognize Taiwan.
The Communist Party argues that Taiwan is part of China, even though it has never ruled the island and has had an independent, democratically elected government there for decades. China wants “reunification”; There are concerns that Beijing could try to bring this about militarily. The United States is Taiwan's main international supporter and arms supplier, although Washington does not formally have diplomatic relations with the island.
Washington has already emphasized in the past that it does not support an official declaration of independence by Taiwan. At the same time, the USA is making it clear that it is committed to maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, i.e. Taiwan's de facto independence without formal secession.
China and Russia should "strategically work closely together," Xi told Putin, according to CCTV. Beijing and Moscow should therefore also “defend the sovereignty, security and development interests of their respective countries and resolutely resist interference by external forces in internal affairs.”
The phone call between the two presidents was made officially to exchange congratulations on the occasion of the Chinese Year of the Dragon, which begins on Saturday.
czl/Reuters/AFP