Putin and Xi rebuke US at summit that underlines closer ties

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping opposed the expansion of Nato and issued a veiled rebuke to the US, criticising “certain states” for trying to impose “democratic standards” on other countries, at a Beijing summit that underlined their strengthened ties.

With the west opposing the Russian military build-up on the Ukraine border and China’s treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, the Russian and Chinese leaders presented a united front in talks just hours before the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Xi said China and Russia would support each other’s sovereignty and interests, while also dealing with external interferences and regional security threats, according to Chinese state media.

In a mark of solidarity, the two sides released a more than 5,000-word statement, criticising “certain states’ attempts to impose their own ‘democratic standards’ on other countries”.

The statement highlighted Sino-Russian opposition to any further expansion of Nato, or new blocs in the Asia-Pacific region. The countries said they were “seriously concerned” over the Aukus security pact reached between Australia, the UK and US last year. They also pledged to “increase co-operation” to counter attempts by external forces to undermine security and interfere “under any pretext”.

Russia’s Gazprom and China’s CNPC, the energy groups, also signed a deal on a new gas supply route with deliveries of 10bn cubic meters per year.

The affirmation of stronger Sino-Russian ties comes against a backdrop of international alarm over Ukraine. Russia has moved more than 100,000 troops to the Ukraine border in what the US has said was a prelude to an invasion.

In an article published by Chinese state news agency Xinhua on Thursday, Putin said having similar and consistent positions on global and regional issues was the basis for co-ordinated foreign policy between the two powers.

“Our two countries play an important stabilising role in today’s complex international situation, and continue to promote the democratisation of the international relations system to make it more equitable and inclusive,” Putin wrote.

Beijing has signalled backing for Moscow in its stand-off with the US and Nato. Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi met and “co-ordinated their positions” regarding Ukraine on Thursday, China’s foreign ministry said.

Wang expressed “understanding and support” for Russia’s insistence on the principle that no country can enhance its security at the expense of others.

Last week, Wang told Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, that Moscow’s “reasonable security concerns” should be taken “seriously”.

Despite that support, foreign policy analysts have diverged over whether China stands to benefit from the Ukraine crisis.

Some believe that a conflict could drain US resources and distract the Biden administration from the Asia-Pacific region and embolden China’s military assertiveness over Taiwan and the South China Sea. Others point to China favouring stability over turmoil abroad. Beijing also risks reputational damage and possibly secondary sanctions from the US if it deepens its support for Russia.

The US and many western countries have refused to send officials to the Games over China’s human rights abuses in Xinjiang, where more than 1mn Uyghurs have been interned, and Beijing’s crackdown in Hong Kong.

Putin, however, is among a group of foreign leaders attending the opening ceremony of the Games, which includes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and President Alberto Fernández of Argentina.

António Guterres, UN secretary-general and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, are also in attendance.

That stands in stark contrast to the roughly 80 state leaders and royals at the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008, including George W Bush, US president at the time, reflecting frayed ties between the west and China and disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Ahead of the talks, Putin condemned criticism of China’s hosting of the Winter Games and praised the “stabilising role” played by the two countries internationally.

Chinese state media touted the “close friendship” between the two leaders, quoting Putin’s view of Xi: “He’s approachable and sincere. He’s also a partner that you can rely on.”

Additional reporting by William Langley in Hong Kong