**China and Russia Strengthen Ties**
Chinese President Xi Jinping has promised to take the country’s relationship with Russia to new heights. This was announced after a video call between Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on January 21.
The call took place just days after Donald Trump became the new US President. China has been getting closer to Russia since the start of its war against Ukraine. China is now Russia’s main source of goods that are used for both civilian and military purposes.
Xi said that China is ready to work with Russia to face any challenges from outside. He added that their relationship is becoming stronger, and trade between them is increasing. Xi also stressed the importance of cooperation between Beijing and Moscow for the benefit of both countries and for fairness and equality in the world.
Putin agreed, saying that trade between the two countries has increased by 7% and now stands at over $220 billion. He called China Russia’s main trading partner.
Russia and China have been getting closer since February 2022, when Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Putin has visited China twice, while Xi visited Russia in March 2023. Beijing has also offered to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.
The US and its allies have criticized China for supporting Russia’s actions in Ukraine. NATO has called China a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war.
