Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin Hold Strategic Meeting at Zhongnanhai

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: Chinese President Xi Jinping held a restricted meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday at Zhongnanhai in Beijing. The leaders engaged in in-depth exchanges on strategic issues of mutual concern.

Xi emphasized that the world is experiencing unprecedented changes, entering a period of turbulence and transformation. Despite the volatility, China has maintained its strategic resolve under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. He highlighted the Chinese people’s perseverance in overcoming various challenges, promoting high-quality development, and advancing Chinese modernization.

China is eager to collaborate with Russia and other nations to enhance solidarity and cooperation, steer global governance in the right direction, jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, and promote world peace and common development, Xi stated.

Putin acknowledged China’s unstoppable development, asserting that no force can hinder China’s growth and progress. He expressed Russia’s willingness to improve cooperation with China and other Global South countries to foster international fairness, justice, and a more equal and multipolar world.

The leaders also discussed the Ukraine crisis extensively. Xi reiterated China’s consistent stance and efforts toward a political resolution, emphasizing the need to address both the symptoms and root causes of major issues, and to plan for both the present and long term. He highlighted the Global Security Initiative’s vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, proposing the establishment of a balanced, effective, and sustainable security architecture as a fundamental solution to the Ukraine issue.

Xi expressed support for an international peace conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, advocating for equal participation and fair discussion of all options to achieve a political settlement. China is prepared to continue playing a constructive role in this process, he assured.

Putin appreciated China’s objective, just, and balanced stance on the Ukraine issue, welcoming China’s continued constructive involvement in the political settlement. He reiterated Russia’s commitment to resolving the Ukraine issue through political negotiations, expressing willingness to maintain close communication with China on this matter.

Xi noted the fruitful nature of his many candid and in-depth exchanges with Putin over the years. “I am ready to stay in close contact with President Putin and work together to steer the development of China-Russia relations in the right direction, guiding the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era to achieve steady and lasting progress, bringing more benefits to the two peoples, and contributing to world security and stability,” Xi said.

Putin thanked Xi for his warm hospitality and expressed his desire to maintain close communication, implement their important consensus, and ensure the full development of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.