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Russia's President Vladimir Putin has told Chinese leader Xi Jinping that Moscow backs Beijing's "One China" policy, opposes "provocations" by the United States in the Taiwan Strait and values China's "balanced position" on Ukraine.
Key points:
- The two leaders were in attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Uzbekistan
- Vladimir Putin told Xi Jinping that Russia valued China's "balanced position" on the Ukraine crisis
- Mr Putin reiterated support for Beijing's One China policy and condemned recent US "provocations" in the Taiwan Strait
The two leaders were meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Uzbekistan.
It was their first face-to-face meeting since Russia launched its "special military operation" in Ukraine in February.
Mr Xi greeted Mr Putin as his "old friend" after the Russian President said attempts by the US to create a unipolar world would fail.
"We highly value the balanced position of our Chinese friends when it comes to the Ukraine crisis," Mr Putin told Mr Xi.
"We understand your questions and concern about this. During today's meeting, we will of course explain our position," he said.
Mr Putin's first remarks about Chinese concern over the war come just days after a lightning rout of his forces in north-eastern Ukraine.
Xi-Putin ties strong despite pressure
Mr Xi, who the Chinese Communist Party is due next month to bestow a historic third leadership, did not mention Ukraine in his public remarks.
China has refrained from condemning Russia's operation against Ukraine or calling it an "invasion" in line with the Kremlin, which casts the war as "a special military operation".
The last time Mr Xi and Mr Putin met in person, just weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, they declared a "no limits" partnership and inked a promise to collaborate more against the West.
Still, Beijing is perturbed by the impact on the global economy and has been careful not to give material support to Russia that could trigger Western sanctions on China's own economy.
Nearly seven months of war in Ukraine have strained Russia's economic and military power, though Mr Putin has said his country is tilting towards Asia because the West is in decline.
Though Russia and China have in the past been rivals and have fought wars, Mr Putin and Mr Xi share a view of the world that sees the West as decadent and in decline just as China challenges the United States's supremacy.
China publicly backs Russia at crucial time
Mr Xi said China will work with Russia.
"In the face of changes in the world, in our times and of history, China is willing to work with Russia to play a leading role in demonstrating the responsibility of major powers, and to instill stability and positive energy into a world in turmoil," Mr Xi told Mr Putin.
Mr Putin also threw his weight behind Beijing's key positions in the brief public statement, aligning the two countries in what analysts see as a fledgling anti-US, anti-Western alliance.
Mr Putin referred to Beijing's insistence that other countries not recognise Taiwan, a self-ruled island that Beijing claims as part of China, as an independent country.
"We intend to firmly adhere to the principle of 'One China'," Mr Putin said.
He added that Russia "condemns provocations by the United States and their satellites in the Taiwan Strait", a possible reference to US Navy warships sailing through international waters in the Taiwan Strait on August 27.
China held blockade-style military drills around Taiwan after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island last month. Taiwan's government strongly rejects China's sovereignty claims.
The United States has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.
China has never ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control.
Reuters