Chinese Press Says Xi-Putin Meeting Sent ‘Positive Signal’

The official Chinese press emphasized today that the meeting between the Presidents of China and Russia on Tuesday in the Russian city of Kazan sent ‘a positive signal’ to the world.

At the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, Xi Jinping defended China's "unwavering friendship" with Russia "despite the turbulent international situation", and described the BRICS emerging economies bloc as a platform that will contribute to the advent of of "a structured multipolar order" and of an "economic globalization accessible to all".

According to Xi, the third meeting with Vladimir Putin this year adds "a new chapter to friendship between China and Russia", which "will remain unchanged"

"Xi and Putin have already met more than 40 times, establishing a strong working relationship and deep personal friendship. The two leaders maintain open communication on strategic issues and are an example of how interactions between great powers should be," reported the official Chinese newspaper Global Times, in an editorial.

The newspaper stressed that the meeting, which demonstrated the "strategic trust" between China and Russia, sent "a positive signal" to the world because it implies that the relationship is "independent and free from external interference".

"Some Western media outlets have increased hostility towards Russia at the summit. They are also trying to discredit cooperation between China and Russia with alleged clashes between blocs," the editorial read.

The newspaper argued that Sino-Russian ties "effectively play a positive role in several multilateral platforms, such as the BRICS group, and this is an undeniable fact. They also jointly promoted the expansion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, strengthening the unity of the two countries development of the Global South," he said.

The newspaper also indicated that China and Russia have "many partners" and that the countries of the Global South are "moving forward together" with "infinite possibilities for cooperation"

Putin has proposed China, Brazil and India as possible mediators in future peace talks with Ukraine, in opposition to the United States, which Moscow believes is interested in prolonging the conflict.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, China has maintained an ambiguous position, in which it has called for respect for the “territorial integrity of all countries,” including Ukraine, and for attention to the “legitimate concerns of all states,” only reference to Russia.

The BRICS group, initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, expanded this year to nine members with the integration of Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates.