China and Russia have criticised “destructive external interference” in Eurasia in a joint statement issued on Thursday during a visit to Russia by Premier Li Qiang. Li met President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during the trip.
Joint statement warns against coercion and force
The statement said destructive external interference is the main factor currently undermining stability across the Eurasian continent. The two sides also condemned any external coercion involving force that aims to disrupt Eurasian solidarity.
Pledges of mutual support on core interests
Both countries said they would firmly support each other on issues involving their core interests and major concerns. The statement said China backs Russia in safeguarding its security, stability, national unity, development, prosperity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and opposes outside interference in Russia’s internal affairs.
No mention of a possible leaders’ meeting
The statement did not refer to a mooted meeting between Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. On Wednesday, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that a possible first-ever meeting of the leaders of China, Russia and the United States “is being prepared.” He said the aim was to include it in the programme of the Asia-Pacific summit in Shenzhen, China, next month.
