Xi to Putin: China and Russia Always Move Forward ‘Hand in Hand’
In a New Year’s letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping said China and Russia have always moved forward “hand in hand” on the right path, Chinese news agency Xinhua disclosed on Tuesday.
Xi said that “political mutual trust and strategic coordination” between the two have soared to a “new high” under the two leaders. He recalled the meetings between the leaders this past year in Beijing, China; Astana, Kazakhstan; and Kazan, Russia.
Strengthening ties: The message of friendship came months after the two publicly reaffirmed their strategic “no limits” partnership during Putin’s visit to Beijing in May.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the Asian giants have worked especially hard to operate “hand in hand”:
- China has sold large quantities of military equipment to support Russia’s invasion against Ukraine, including ‘lethal aid.’
- China has bought much of Russia’s oil to help it evade Western sanctions.
- Trade between the two hit a record high in 2023 and is expected to do so again in 2024.
- They recently completed a gas pipeline that is expected to supply fuel for 130 million Chinese households.
- The two nations conducted joint military exercises on several occasions this past year.
- The two have cooperated in a military buildup in the Arctic, aiming to take advantage of the large untapped reserves of natural resources there
Prophesied alliance: Expect the Russia-China axis to strengthen even more in the coming years. The Bible prophesies of a colossal Asian army to arise, with Russia at the head and China as the secondary power.
To learn about these prophecies in detail, read our Trends article “Why the Trumpet Watches Russia Allying With China.”
