China Shows Cooperation with Russia... Putin Hopes to Eat Mandu

Russian Ambassador During the Week Indicates China and Russia Share Same Position on Ukraine Issue
Reveals Space Cooperation Including International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Cho Young-shin] Amid the tense standoff between the United States and Russia over Ukraine, China has boasted of its trade with Russia reaching an all-time high, highlighting Sino-Russian relations. It also emphasized the solidarity between China and Russia by noting that Russia will send its largest-ever delegation to the '2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

China's state-run Global Times reported on the 26th that despite the spread of COVID-19 last year, trade between China and Russia reached a record high of $147 billion (176 trillion won). It added that this figure represents a 35% increase compared to the previous year.

Andrey Denisov, Russian Ambassador to China, stated at a meeting with Chinese media that trade between Russia and China reached an all-time high last year due to increased energy trade, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), and that trade volume between the two countries is expected to grow further this year.

Ambassador Denisov said, "China's demand for Russian natural gas continues to rise," adding, "Russia will further expand its supply of coal and electricity to China in the future."

Li Ziguo, senior researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, said, "In addition to traditional energy sources like oil, cooperation between China and Russia is increasing in new energy sectors such as LNG and nuclear power," forecasting that energy will account for more than 35% of Sino-Russian trade volume this year.

The Global Times explained that the increase in Sino-Russian trade stems from the high mutual trust and friendly relations between the two countries, and that economic cooperation in high-tech fields such as aerospace, nuclear power, and e-commerce will become more active this year.

Regarding the Beijing Winter Olympics, Ambassador Denisov announced that Russia will send a delegation of about 500 people, including 216 athletes. He described the Chinese Winter Olympics as a highly anticipated event and said Russia believes China can overcome difficulties caused by COVID-19.

Denisov further criticized the United States and other Western countries for politically boycotting the event to disrupt it for political gain. He defended China by saying that baseless slanders will soon disappear and that their efforts will be in vain.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In particular, Ambassador Denisov mentioned the Ukraine issue, emphasizing that there are no taboo topics between Russia and China. This appears to indirectly suggest that China shares Russia's stance on the Ukraine matter.

He pointed out that international relations are becoming complicated, with Russia's relations with the United States and the European Union (EU) deteriorating, and noted that China also faces many difficulties in its relations with the US and the EU.

He also mentioned space development plans between Russia and China, stating that the two countries will carry out a new space cooperation program, which includes the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).

Meanwhile, citing Russian TASS news agency, the Global Times reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 4, and a high-level Sino-Russian summit will be held on the same day.

Regarding this, Ambassador Denisov said, "Due to pandemic risks, President Putin's visit to China will be relatively brief," but left a hopeful note about the schedule, saying, "I hope President Putin will have the opportunity to eat dumplings during his visit."