China and Russia condemn 'destructive external interference' in Eurasia
Beijing and Moscow issued a joint statement condemning 'destructive external interference' in Eurasia during Premier Li Qiang's visit to Russia. The two sides pledged mutual support on core interests and opposed external coercion, though the statement did not mention a possible trilateral summit wit
China and Russia on Thursday issued a joint statement condemning what they described as "destructive external interference" in Eurasia, during a visit to Russia by Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Premier Li met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow.
"The two sides pointed out that destructive external interference is the primary factor currently undermining stability across the Eurasian continent," the joint statement, published by China's official Xinhua news agency, said. "The two sides firmly condemn any acts of external coercion involving the use of force which are aimed at disrupting the process of Eurasian solidarity," it added.
The statement also said both sides would "always firmly support each other on issues involving one another's core interests and major concerns." It added that "China supports Russia in safeguarding its security, stability, national unity, development and prosperity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and opposes external forces' interference in Russia's internal affairs."
The joint statement made no reference to a possible upcoming meeting between President Putin and his Chinese and US counterparts, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters on Wednesday that "a possible first-ever meeting of the leaders of China, Russia and the United States... is being prepared," adding that the aim was to include the meeting in the programme of the Asia-Pacific summit in Shenzhen, China next month.
