Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin stress ‘strategic choices’ as they pledge deeper economic partnerships.
China and Russia have edged closer to a deal on shipping routes in the Arctic, with both countries looking to expand economic cooperation to counter Western pressure.
In Moscow on Wednesday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and his Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin signed a joint communique agreeing to develop shipping routes in the Arctic under a consensus reached in May in Beijing between the presidents of the two countries.
It was part of a bigger pledge that their nations would consolidate traditional partnerships in oil and gas production while developing cooperation in emerging sectors such as science and technology and the digital economy.
The communique stressed that “consolidating China-Russia relations is a strategic choice made by both sides based on the broad common fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples, and is not affected by changes in the international situation”.
“Both sides resolutely defend their legitimate rights and interests and oppose any attempt to obstruct the normal development of bilateral relations, interfere in the internal affairs of the two countries, and restrict the economic, technological and international space of the two countries.”
In the communique, both sides also pledged support for their mutual sovereignty. While Russia said it opposed any form of independence for Taiwan, Beijing said it supported Russia’s territorial integrity.
Li is visiting Russia for the annual meeting between the two heads of government before travelling to Belarus. He was also received by Russian President Vladimir Putin
