In a significant setback to former US President Donald Trump, China on Friday praised Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Moscow, reaffirming the close ties between Beijing and Moscow. The Chinese foreign ministry stated that the joint statement agreed upon by the two leaders after their talks ushered in a 'new era' of cooperation between the two countries.
New Era of Cooperation
The Chinese foreign ministry's remarks come just days after Trump visited Beijing in an attempt to stabilize bilateral relations amid ongoing tariff disputes and tensions over Taiwan. According to analysts, the contrast in messaging between Chinese President Xi Jinping's meetings with Trump and Putin was stark. While the US and China are still working to stabilize their trade ties, Moscow and Beijing have reaffirmed their relationship as essential partners.
Analysts Weigh In
Experts noted that the timing of China's statement underscores the deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia, which has grown stronger amid shared opposition to US-led global policies. The joint statement from the Xi-Putin meeting emphasized mutual support on issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as enhanced cooperation in energy, technology, and defense.
The development is seen as a diplomatic blow to Trump, who had hoped to leverage his visit to reset US-China relations. Instead, China's reaffirmation of ties with Russia signals a continued alignment between the two major powers against US interests.
