BEIJING \u2013 February 5 (ONLINE): China has joined Russia in opposing further Nato expansion as the two countries move closer together in the face of Western pressure.<\/p>\n
Moscow and Beijing issued a statement showcasing their agreement on a raft of issues during a visit by Russia’s Vladimir Putin for the Winter Olympics.<\/p>\n
Mr Putin claims Western powers are using the Nato defence alliance to undermine Russia.<\/p>\n
It comes amid tensions over Ukraine, which he denies planning to invade.
\nSome 100,000 Russian troops remain at the border with Ukraine, which is a former Soviet republic. Mr Putin, who has written that Russians and Ukrainians are “one nation”, has demanded that Ukraine be barred from joining Nato.<\/p>\n
While the lengthy joint statement did not refer directly to Ukraine, the two countries accused Nato of espousing a Cold War ideology.<\/p>\n
The talks, which the Kremlin said were “very warm”, were held ahead of the Games opening ceremony. It was the first time the leaders have met face-to-face since the start of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
“Friendship between [Russia and China] has no limits, there are no ‘forbidden’ areas of cooperation,” the statement reads.<\/p>\n
The two countries said they were “seriously concerned” about the Aukus security pact between the US, UK and Australia.<\/p>\n
Announced last year, Aukus will see Australia build nuclear-powered submarines as part of efforts to boost security in the Asia-Pacific region. It is largely seen as an effort to counter China, which has been accused of raising tensions in disputed territories such as the South China Sea.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Russia said it supported Beijing’s One China policy, which asserts that self-ruled Taiwan is a breakaway province that will eventually be part of China again.<\/p>\n
However, Taiwan sees itself as an independent country, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BEIJING \u2013 February 5 (ONLINE): China has joined Russia in opposing further Nato expansion as the two countries move closer together in the face of Western pressure. Moscow and Beijing issued a statement showcasing their agreement on a raft of issues during a visit by […]<\/p>\n
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