(Radio France International).- It’s fleeting Vladimir Putin’s state visit to China this filled with symbolism in an international context of great turbulence. This is his first visit abroad since being re-elected as president for a fifth term and his second visit to China in less than a year.

Last October, Putin went to Beijing to participate in Third International Cooperation Forum “One Belt, One Road”on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of this Chinese initiative.

Expand cooperation ties

Today’s meeting between Xi Jinping and Putin is part of the Independence Day celebrations. 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and in search of closer cooperation in the field economic and commercialas emphasized in Beijing.

Since Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, the two leaders have met more than 40 times, reflecting the importance of strategic ties between both countriesand plans for the future. In fact, at the meeting held at noon, the two heads of state signed a declaration on expanding cooperative ties between China and Russia.

War in Ukraine

They also considered such topical issues as war in Ukraine, where recent reports indicate an escalation of the conflict. In this sense, Putin was ahead of the headlines. publicly supportinghours before landing in China, four principles peaceful resolution Ukrainian crisis, proposed Xi Jinping.

This is seen as a signal from the Russian president to rebut Western criticism of China for not being a stronger mediator in the conflict. The political solution to the conflict is an agreement between Xi Jinping and Putin, but it remains to be seen what form it will take.

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Social media has been very busy in the last few hours. celebration of Putin’s visit and close relationships between China and Russia. Internet users share the motto “China and Russia are the hope for global development.” Others express their refusal V American restrictive measures used against Chinese companies producing cars, batteries and solar panels, which are dealing a serious blow to the Chinese economy.

🇷🇺🇨🇳 At the invitation of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing, beginning his state visit to the People’s Republic of China.

This is the first foreign trip of the Russian President after taking office.#RussiaChina pic.twitter.com/oZiON0uO4S

— Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇷🇺 (@mae_rusia) May 16, 2024