Sébastien Le Belzic (in Beijing) / Photo credit: HUANG JINGWEN / XINHUA / XINHUA VIA AFP
Russia and China deepened their cooperation on Wednesday by signing a series of agreements between Xi Jinping and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Michoustin, the most senior Russian official to visit Beijing since the start of the invasion of China. Ukraine.
Russia and China on Wednesday signed a series of agreements raising relations between the two countries to a level described as “unprecedented” despite criticism from the West for China’s support for Russia.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Michoustin is the most senior Russian official to visit Beijing since the start of the invasion of Ukraine. He was received by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who assured him of his firm support in defending Russia’s fundamental interests.
Xi Jinping promises to defend Russian interests
It is a visit marked by the unfailing support of the Chinese government. President Xi Jinping has promised that his country will defend Russian interests. First by helping its economy weakened by international sanctions. This visit by the Russian Prime Minister to Beijing was marked by the signing of numerous trade agreements in terms of investment, in particular a pact on the export of Russian agricultural products and hydrocarbons to China. Gas and oil deliveries are expected to increase by 40% this year.
Cheerful prospects for the Russian Prime Minister. “I am sure that this year we will achieve the goal set by heads of state Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping to increase our trade to 200 billion dollars.”
A strong partnership between the two countries
For Beijing, it’s a good deal. Chinese exports to Russia continued to grow, rising 153% in April year on year. This visit further strengthens the partnership between the two countries, placing the Russian economy a little more under a drip from Beijing.