Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin Advancing China-Russia Strategic Partnership, Says Chinese Official

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Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin “will continue to advance the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership,” according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two leaders are set to participate in next week’s BRICS summit.

Xi and Putin Advancing China-Russia Cooperation

Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press conference Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are advancing the strategic partnership between China and Russia. Putin is scheduled to visit China in October.

“The presidents of China and Russia have maintained strategic communication in various ways,” Wang explained. “Their discussions cover a rich and comprehensive range of topics. High-level exchanges have proceeded in an orderly manner with extensive exchange of views on bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual interest.” The Chinese official emphasized:

The two sides will continue to advance the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era under the strategic guidance of the presidents of the two countries.

Both Xi and Putin are expected to participate in the BRICS summit that will take place in Johannesburg on Aug. 22-24. However, Putin will not attend in person. The BRICS nations comprise Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has revealed that the BRICS summit’s agenda will include discussions about the expansion of the economic bloc. South Africa is the host of the BRICS summit this year.

A total of 23 countries have applied for BRICS membership: Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Venezuela, Vietnam, Cuba, Honduras, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, State of Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has invited 67 leaders of countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean to the summit. In addition, 20 representatives of major international organizations have been invited, including the secretary-general of the United Nations, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, and the president of the New Development Bank, also known as the BRICS Bank.

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