Xi, Putin accuse US of ‘interference’ during phone call
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Mr Xi Jinping (left) and Mr Vladimir Putin denounced the “US policy of interfering in the internal affairs of other states” during an hour-long call, the Kremlin said.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MOSCOW – Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin accused the United States of “interfering” in their countries’ affairs during a phone call on Feb 8, the Kremlin said.
The West has viewed Moscow and Beijing, both of which are seeking to expand their global influence, with increased anxiety over the past two years as they ramp up ties in trade and defence.
Mr Xi and Mr Putin denounced the “US policy of interfering in the internal affairs of other states” during the hour-long call, the Kremlin said.
“The leaders of the two countries realise that the US is practically implementing a policy of double containment, (towards) both Russia and China,” Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.
Moscow has looked to Beijing as a crucial economic lifeline since the West hit Russia with unprecedented sanctions its military assault on Ukraine.
China, meanwhile, has benefited from cheap Russian energy imports and access to vast natural resources, including steady gas shipments via the Power of Siberia pipeline.
Trade between the two countries has surged in the last two years, hitting US$240.1 billion (S$323.6 billion) in 2023 – a 26 per cent annual increase – according to Chinese Customs data.
Beijing and Moscow declared a “no limits” partnership
China itself has been criticised, notably by the US, over a number of thorny issues, including increasingly assertive behaviour towards self-governing Taiwan, which Beijing regards as its territory to be reunified.
Taiwan rejects China’s sovereignty claims.
“In discussing the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, the Russian President reaffirmed his principled position on the Taiwan issue, which is to support the ‘one China’ policy,” the Kremlin said in its statement about the call.
Mr Xi said the two “should closely collaborate strategically, defend the sovereignty, security and development interests of their respective countries, and resolutely oppose interference in internal affairs by external forces”, according to a readout from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
The Chinese leader also wished Mr Putin well in his coming presidential election, according to the Kremlin.
“Xi said he knows that Russia is now in the midst of an election campaign and wished the upcoming elections in March to be successful,” Mr Ushakov said.
Mr Putin, who has faced isolation from most Western countries over the conflict in Ukraine, met Mr Xi in a rare trip abroad to Beijing
