The friendship between Beijing and Moscow is "solid as a rock", Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi assured on Monday, as a wave of international sanctions intensifies against Russia after its Russian invasion of the Ukraine.
Attached to its partnership with Moscow, China has refrained from condemning the Russian intervention in Ukraine, even refusing to speak of an “invasion”.
“The friendship between the two peoples is solid as a rock and the prospects for future cooperation are immense,” Wang Yo told reporters during his annual press conference on the sidelines of the parliamentary session.
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The minister was questioned about China's position after the wave of international sanctions targeting Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
“China and Russia, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, are (…) the most important strategic partners for each other”, added Wang Yi, considering that Beijing and Moscow “ contribute” to peace and stability in the world.
Participate “if necessary” in mediation
The Sino-Russian friendship is an “example of a dignified relationship, where each helps and supports the other in its development”, said Vladimir Putin last month, received with great fanfare in Beijing for the Olympic Games.
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The head of Chinese diplomacy also indicated that his country was "willing" to play a role in the Ukrainian crisis, in particular by participating "if necessary" in international mediation to end the war.
Beijing will also send humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Wang Yi said.