However, experts believe that the President of the PRC wanted to hear the details of the recent conversation between the President of the Russian Federation and Joe Biden.
Gennady Charodeyev
Already at the beginning of the talks, Putin called Xi Jinping "dear friend." He did not remain in debt and warmly greeted the Russian leader.
Comrade Xi noted that he appreciates the efforts of the Russian President to protect relations between China and the Russian Federation. He added that Russian-Chinese relations have stood against the background of global changes and "turbulence".
“You and I are at the helm of Chinese-Russian relations and maintain close contacts in various forms on key agenda items”, - the PRC President said.
Putin, in turn, called relations between the two countries "a real model of interstate cooperation in the 21st century." He stressed that a new model of interaction has been formed between China and Russia, "based, among other things, on such foundations as non-interference in internal affairs and respect for each other's interests, determination to turn the common border into a belt of eternal peace and good neighborliness."
The President stressed that the close coordination of actions of Moscow and Beijing on the world stage and a responsible joint approach to solving urgent world problems have become a significant factor of stability in international relations.
The Russian head of state also expressed hope for a personal meeting with Xi Jinping in February 2022 in Beijing. On the eve of the meeting, the leaders of the two countries agreed to hold talks and take part in the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games.
Yuri Tavrovsky, Chairman of the Expert Council of the Russian-Chinese Committee of Friendship, Peace and Cooperation, commented Novye Izvestia on the last conversation the leaders of Russia and China:
"This meeting, in my opinion, was dedicated to the results of the recent talks between Presidents Putin and Biden. Xi Jinping asked "Vladimir's friend" to tell what exactly was discussed. As you know, the US President shared his impressions with his European allies, so the Chinese wanted to hear the details, as they say, first-hand. The main thing is, of course, our bilateral relations of strategic partnership, which are moving in the direction of allied relations. And everything is happening against the backdrop of the Cold War, unleashed simultaneously against Russia and China. The Americans did not calculate their strength. This became clear already at the end of Trump's reign, who launched a "crusade" against the Celestial Empire - first declared a trade war, then a technological and information war on China. Because Biden and his team understand that today America is in a weak position and it is necessary to prevent a full-fledged military-political alliance between Beijing and Moscow. The Americans identified Russia as the weak link. Joe Biden, it seems, makes all sorts of minor concessions to the Kremlin, promises that he will resolve all controversial issues, even “resolved” Nord Stream 2! In fact, he seeks to create in Moscow the illusion of an emerging warming of relations and to alert the Chinese. Washington hopes that Beijing will someday doubt the reliability of the "Russian bear." Xi Jinping's call to Vladimir Putin, I believe, is a manifestation of Chinese concern. They thought: would the Americans be able to neutralize Russia and concentrate everything by force in the fight against China? In this I see the meaning of the conversation between our two leaders", - the expert said to Novye Izvestia.
Evgeny Bazhanov, President of the Eurosian Institute for Strategic Studies, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, in an interview with Novye Izvestia, said that modern China is opposed to the growth of tensions in the world. The Chinese are busy with peaceful construction at home, they have their own problems and they have absolutely no time for a war with someone. At the same time, they are against US hegemony. They do not like the fact that the Americans are in command of everyone and interfere in the affairs of other sovereign states. Beijing is well aware of the fact that America does not allow Russia to live and develop in peace. And we need to do something, maybe join efforts to defend our sovereignty
"As for Russia's relations with its neighbors, here we are not allies with China and do not demand support and joint actions from each other in the outside world. Beijing, for example, has serious disagreements with Vietnam, with India, and we maintain good relations with these countries. The Chinese have problems with Taiwan. But Moscow, having designated its positions, does not go there, does not interfere. The Chinese do the same. They don't care about Crimea or Donbass! The position of "non-interference", according to Moscow and Beijing, is a reliable basis for any negotiations. Of course, this does not mean at all that during today's conversation the issue of the “Ukrainian crisis” was not touched upon. Perhaps the leaders of the two countries spoke about this in the part concerning the results of the recent talks between Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden. But it is known that Xi Jinping is in any case in favor of a peaceful resolution of “the conflict in Donbass”, - said expert Yevgeny Bazhanov.
It's worth reminding that the previous videoconference conversation between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping took place on June 28. It was timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Russian-Chinese Treaty on Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation. Following the meeting, it was announced that this document was validity extension.