Chinese Premier Li Qiang will visit Russia and Belarus this week, Beijing's foreign ministry said on Monday (19/8).
Li's visit will come as China and Russia are stepping up economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts.
“Based on the strategic guidelines of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have eliminated external interference and maintained stable and healthy development,” foreign ministry spokesman Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing.
He said in a statement that Li's visit from Tuesday to Friday would include “the 29th regular meeting between the heads of government of China and Russia.”
Mao said Li planned to “exchange in-depth views on practical cooperation in bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern” in talks with his counterpart, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
Russia and China's strategic partnership has grown closer since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which Beijing has never condemned.
China presents itself as a neutral party in the war and says it is not sending arms to either side, unlike the US and other Western countries.
However, China is a close political and economic ally of Russia and NATO members have called Beijing a “determined supporter” of the war.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko visited China twice last year, and in December he pledged to be Beijing's “reliable partner.”
Belarus relies heavily on political and financial support from Russia. The country was the launching point for Moscow's attack on Ukraine in February 2022.
The country officially joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in July, becoming the 10th member of the growing bloc of nations that Beijing sees as a potential counterweight to the U.S.-led world order.
“China and Belarus are comprehensive strategic partners under all conditions,” Mao said on Monday. (uh)
