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Both countries signed joint statements and unveiled a number of new industrial, nuclear energy, and natural gas pipeline agreements on 21 March.
Vladimir Putin said the Russia-China trade is expected to exceed $200 billion this year, up from $185 billion in 2022. Both countries concluded an intergovernmental agreement in January to lay a Far Eastern gas route and build the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline across Mongolia, which will supply 50 billion cubic metre of gas per year.
In addition, Russia has committed to assist in the construction of units seven and eight at the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant as well as units three and four at the Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant. The work represents a long-term cooperation program signed by Rosatom and the China Atomic Energy Authority during the visit.
Both countries have committed to greater use of the Trans-Siberian and Baikal–Amur railways, the Northern Sea Route, and multi-lane trans-Asian highways. As well as supporting cross-border bridges opened last year including a motor bridge in the Blagoveshchensk Region and a railway bridge in the Jewish Autonomous Region of Russia.
Speaking about the Ukraine-Russo war, the Russian president said this week’s talks have not ignored developments in Ukraine.
“We believe that many of the provisions of the peace plan put forward by China are consonant with Russian approaches and can be taken as the basis for a peaceful settlement when the West and Kiev are ready for it. However, so far, we have not seen such readiness on their part,” Putin said.
“I was just informed that while the Chinese President and I were discussing the possibility of implementing the Chinese peace plan — and the Chinese President devoted considerable attention to his peace initiatives during our one-on-one conversation yesterday — the UK deputy defence minister announced that the United Kingdom would supply not only tanks to Ukraine, but also depleted uranium shells.
“It seems that the West really has decided to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian; no longer in words, but in deeds. But in this regard, I would like to note that if all this comes to pass, then Russia will have to respond accordingly. What I mean is that the collective West is already starting to use weapons with a nuclear component.”
China and Russia stress that responsible dialogue is the best way for appropriate solutions and the international community should provide support to the relevant constructive efforts, according to a joint statement published by the PRC.
“On the Ukraine issue, the two sides believe that the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter must be observed and international law must be respected,” the statement said.
“The two sides oppose the practice by any country or group of countries to seek advantages in the military, political and other areas to the detriment of the legitimate security interests of other countries.
“The Russian side reaffirms its commitment to the resumption of peace talks as soon as possible, which China appreciates.
“The Russian side welcomes China’s willingness to play a positive role for the political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine crisis and welcomes the constructive proposals set forth in China’s position on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
“The two sides point out that to settle the Ukraine crisis, the legitimate security concerns of all countries must be respected, bloc confrontation should be prevented and fanning the flames avoided.
“The two sides call for stopping all moves that lead to tensions and the protraction of fighting to prevent the crisis from getting worse or even out of control. The two sides oppose any unilateral sanctions unauthorised by the UN Security Council.”
Robert Dougherty
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