Published 03/20/2023 19:02 | Edited 03/21/2023 21:05
The United States managed to co-opt most of the western powers to an anti-Russia and pro-NATO position in the Ukraine war. But Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to Moscow, which began this Monday (20) and is surrounded by pomp, shows that the international system is far from unipolar.
On the contrary: the tone of the official statements in the Russian capital indicates that since the end of the Soviet Union, in 1991, the hegemony of the United States has never been so in check. In addition to Russian military power, China’s growing economic and diplomatic influence is added.
This month, the Asian country – which has been under the leadership of the Communist Party since 1949 – announced the diplomatic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. It was the first time that China’s participation proved to be decisive in a historic conflict in the Middle East.
Upon receiving Xi at Moscow Airport, Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted him as an “old friend” and again highlighted “China’s willingness to play a constructive role in the resolution”. On the eve of the visit, Putin also declared that the China-Russia alliance was “special” and had reached “the highest point”, which was ratified by Chinese officials.
“It is true that our two countries share the same goals, some similar. We have been making efforts for the prosperity of our respective countries,” Xi told reporters. “We can cooperate and work together to achieve our goals.”
In an article for the newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta and for the state agency Xinhua, on Thursday (16), Xi had already renewed Chinese willingness to collaborate so that Russia and Ukraine seek a peace agreement. The war completed one year in February.
According to Xi, the Chinese proposal aims to “neutralize the consequences of the conflict and promote a political agreement”, even considering that “complex problems do not have simple solutions” for the nations involved. “I look forward to working with President Putin to adopt a joint new vision in relations. It is a journey of friendship, cooperation and peace,” Xi wrote.
But the state visit – which will last three days – is not limited to the issue of war. Xi and Putin ended Monday with a courtesy dinner, at which the two governments emphasized their common interest in a “strategic and growing partnership”. It is expected that several agreements will be announced until this Tuesday (21).
Among the planned agreements, one stands out on the “strengthening of the broad association and strategic relations” between China and Russia. An economic cooperation term, with measures that should be in force until 2030, will also be signed.
Attempts by the Joe Biden administration to intimidate Russia, including lobbying the International Criminal Court (ICC) to sentence Putin to prison, have had no effect. The defiant message from China and Russia to the United States is that the unipolar world is over for good.
Source: vermelho.org.br
