Xi Jinping: China will stand with Russia against bullying

Xi Jinping, Chinese leader, says his country will stand with Russia against “unilateralism and hegemonic bullying”.

Jinping spoke on Thursday when he began his four-day state visit in Moscow.

Vladimir Putin, Russian president, said Jinping would be his special guest of honour to mark a heavily choreographed Victory Day military parade.

The event commemorates the Allied victory over Nazi Germany, which ended World War II, 80 years ago.

The visit also takes place as the United States and China get knee-deep in the murky waters of an escalated trade war, sparked by US President Donald Trump’s heavy tariffs.

Russia, which has traditionally been viewed by the US as an aggressor, has, however, seen substantial changes in its relationship with Washington.

Despite the cocktail of global shifts, Russia and China continue to significantly tighten their ties.

Seated together in an ornate room in the Kremlin following roughly four hours of talks, Jinping called Putin a “dear friend”.

According to a joint statement issued by both leaders, the Chinese leader hailed the “deeper” trust developing between the two countries.

“In the face of the international counter-current of unilateralism and hegemonic bullying behaviour, China will work with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities of major world powers,” Jinping told Putin.

Moscow and Beijing also declared “their firm support for each other in ensuring sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and stability”.

They both agreed to make every effort to counter “the increasing attempts to rehabilitate the hateful ideology of Nazism and racial superiority”.

The countries “will continue to jointly oppose the glorification of Nazis and their accomplices, the rise of neo-Nazism, militaristic revanchism and practices that contribute to the escalation of various forms of racial discrimination, racism, xenophobia and related intolerance”.

Both founding members of BRICS, the leaders said they would promote the stable development of bilateral trade, deepen investment ties, strengthen comprehensive energy partnership, enhance interbank ties, and expand settlements in national currencies.

Jinping’s visit comes as Trump applies pressure on Russia to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine while hinting at China inking a trade deal with the US.

China has vowed to fight till the end.