Ahead of Jinping's visit, China defends cooperation with Russia

China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday announced an upcoming visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Russia as "a journey of friendship."

Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine is expected to dominate discussions during the visit, that is scheduled for next Monday to Wednesday.

China has sought to project itself as neutral in the conflict even while in 2022 Beijing declared it had a “no-limits” friendship with Russia and has refused to condemn Moscow’s invasion.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin added the visit would further enhance the two countries’ mutual trust.

“China has been taking a prudent and responsible attitude toward military exports, and has always controlled the export of dual-use items in accordance with the law and regulations,” Wang said in response to questions regarding providing military aid.

Wang insisted that the China-Russia partnership would benefit the world while condemning what he called “certain countries” for “putting up cliques, and stoking bloc confrontation, and engaging in hegemonic, bullying and domineering practices.”

The trip comes after the destruction of a U.S. drone over the Black Sea following an encounter with Russian fighter jets, which brought the two countries closest to direct conflict since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago.

China has said the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected while condemning Western sanctions and accusing NATO and the United States of provoking Russia into military action.

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