Lavrov's Beijing trip: Russia-China ties under global scrutiny

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov landed at the airport in Beijing on Monday. According to the media in Moscow, it is a "working" visit. The politician will meet with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to discuss the "situation in Ukraine and the Asia-Pacific region".

Russian official media and social media channels are reporting about the propagandist's trip to Beijing. As "Izvestia" reports, the Russian minister flew to Beijing to discuss "urgent issues" with his Chinese colleague. "It will be a conversation not just between people with similar views but between friends," the journal's correspondent noted.

Lavrov will stay in Beijing until Tuesday. Minister Wang Yi commented on this event on Sunday, describing it as an opportunity for Russia and China to develop cooperation in various fields. He added that the "foundation of the relationship is the principle of non-confrontation".

In announcing these talks, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that they would cover "many hot topics". "Izvestia" stresses that Russia sees developing relations with China as its most important task, with a significant role played by the established dialogue between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to the head of Russia's MFA, the relationship between the Russian Federation and China is currently at its highest level in history. Meanwhile, the United States warns its allies that China has increased its support for Russia, including by providing intelligence to help Moscow in the war against Ukraine.

As Bloomberg news agency reported on Saturday, according to data collected by US services, China is supporting Moscow, among other things, by providing satellite images.

According to National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson, US President Joe Biden expressed concern about this closer relationship and Beijing's support for the Russian military industry during a telephone conversation with Xi Jinping.

Bloomberg reminds us that according to US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, Russia has already rebuilt its army after the losses during the invasion of Ukraine. This was made possible with the help of China, North Korea, and Iran.

Source: "Izvestia"