Wang Yi, China's top representative, visits Russia for security talks

Wang Yi, China's top representative, visits Russia for security talks
Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, is in Russia for security talks as Moscow looks to maintain support for its conflict with Ukraine.


Beijing, a key friend of Moscow, is accused of indirectly assisting Russia during the conflict, a charge it disputes.


Vladimir Putin is anticipated to pay a significant visit to Beijing soon thanks to Mr. Wang's trip.


Mr. Putin stated earlier this month that he anticipated seeing Chinese President Xi Jinping, but he did not specify when.


Since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest order for him for war crimes in Ukraine, he has not been overseas.


It also follows Mr. Putin's welcoming of Kim Jong Un of North Korea in a summit that is anticipated to result in a weapons deal.


Wang is in Russia for four days for "strategic security consultations," according to the Chinese foreign ministry.


Moscow said that he would meet with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, and that they would talk about "issues related to a settlement in Ukraine" as well as security in the Asia-Pacific region.


Days prior, Mr. Putin welcomed Mr. Kim in a very contentious meeting, which the US claimed was to discuss the sale of North Korean arms to Russia. It is believed that Moscow is experiencing a lack of firearms and ammo.


North Korea and Russia claimed to have discussed "military cooperation" and support for Pyongyang's satellite program.


China's foreign ministry declined to comment when asked about Mr. Kim's travel last week, stating that it was "something between their two countries."


However, given Beijing's tight links to the other two nations, some observers contend that any reciprocal help between North Korea and Russia is carried out with Beijing's knowledge or even implicit approval.


These connections go beyond their shared disdain for the US and the West and communist philosophy. Trade has long been Pyongyang's economic lifeline, and over the past year, increased imports of Russian oil and gas have turned Beijing into Moscow's as well.


"China cannot remain in the dark about whatever is occurring with Russia and North Korea... Without Beijing's consent, I don't believe they would collaborate militarily, said Alexander Korolev, a China-Russia relations scholar at the University of New South Wales in Australia.


He went on to say that China might even view North Korea as a helpful ally for Russia in the conflict in the Ukraine.


"It is possible to support Russia with very little damage to its reputation by just approving North Korea's military cooperation with Russia. It might assign blame to the renegade dictatorship in North Korea, [whose activities] are unrelated to them. If this is the case, it would be a wise choice. said he.


A day after meeting US national security advisor Jake Sullivan in Malta, Mr. Wang traveled to Russia. In addition to the US-China relationship, the two leaders reportedly spoke about regional security and the conflict in the Ukraine.


While the US may be negotiating with China to compel North Korea to end any collaboration, Mr. Korolev suggested that it's doubtful that China would take such a step. "If China wanted to play ball the American way, they had more than a year" to end the war, but they haven't, he said.


Since the start of the conflict, China has been charged by the US with providing Russia with crucial technology and financial support.


According to a US intelligence report published in July, Beijing is "pursuing a variety of economic support mechanisms for Russia that mitigate both the impact of Western sanctions and export controls".


It noted China's increased purchases of Russian energy exports, the country's increased use of its own currency in trade with Russia, and the "probable" availability of dual-use technology — such as drones — for use in Ukraine.


China has persistently refuted these accusations and maintains an impartial stance on the conflict.


It has released its own peace plan for Ukraine, which was announced during a frenzy of diplomatic activity Mr. Wang engaged in earlier this year when he last visited Moscow and spoke with Mr. Putin.

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