Putin tells Xi that Russia is ‘a bit envious’ of China’s economic development
- Russian and Chinese leaders hold informal talks at the Kremlin, kicking off Xi’s three-day state visit to Moscow
- Putin says China’s market mechanisms and a ‘fairly confident political course’ have reaped ‘visible results’
“In recent years, China has made a colossal leap forward in its development,” Putin said, according to a transcript from the Kremlin. “It has been the object of sincere interest around the entire world, and we are even a bit envious of you.”
“China has established a fairly effective system of economic development and strengthened the country. It’s much more effective compared to many other countries in the world. It’s an obvious fact,” Putin said.
China’s combination of market mechanisms and a “fairly confident political course” reaped “visible results”, Russian state news agency Tass quoted Putin as saying. He also said Beijing would achieve its goals under Xi’s leadership.
In an article published in the Russian government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta on Monday, Xi said the modernisation of China would bring new opportunities for development to all countries, including Russia.
Chinese state media reports of the meeting have played up discussion of bilateral ties, while parts related to the Ukraine war largely reiterated past statements from Beijing and Moscow.
Although China has yet to provide lethal arms to Russia for its war in Ukraine, Chinese state media has repeated Moscow’s narrative and Chinese companies have undercut Western sanctions by buying Russia’s discounted oil.
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Chinese officials have also publicly met Russian officials more frequently than Ukrainian ones since the war began in February 2022. Analysts have said that Beijing maintained “pro-Russia neutrality”.
Xi told Putin that China was willing to play a role aimed at promoting a “political settlement of the Ukraine issue”.
Xi and Putin will hold formal talks on Tuesday to discuss bilateral ties, the Ukraine war and other matters described by the leaders to be of common concern.