China vows to stand with Russia in face of ‘hegemonic bullying’

MOSCOW: Beijing will stand with Moscow in the face of “hegemonic bullying”, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian leader Vladimir Putin during a visit to the Kremlin on Thursday.

Xi, whom Putin calls a “dear friend”, is the highest profile guest for Moscow´s celebrations to mark the defeat of the Nazis. Russia has become increasingly economically reliant on China during its Ukraine offensive.

Beijing has portrayed itself as a neutral party throughout the conflict, but the West accuses it of enabling Russia economically and diplomatically. “In the face of the international counter-current of unilateralism and hegemonic bullying behaviour, China will work with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities of major world powers,” Xi told Putin, hailing strengthening ties with Moscow.

“The political mutual trust between China and Russia is becoming deeper, and the ties for pragmatic cooperation are becoming stronger,” he said. Putin said Russia and China were “developing our ties for the benefit of the peoples of both countries and are not opposed to anyone.”

Xi was in Moscow as Ukraine accused Russia of violating its own ceasefire within hours. His visit comes ahead of large May 9 celebrations to mark 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Putin said Russia and China will not forget the “27 million lives that the Soviet Union lay on the altar of the fatherland and the altar of victory, and the 37 million lives that the war took away from China for its freedom and independence.”