Xi Lauds China-Russia Ties as Putin Arrives in Beijing

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing, China May 16, 2024. Sputnik/Sergei Bobylev/Pool via REUTERS
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing, China May 16, 2024. Sputnik/Sergei Bobylev/Pool via REUTERS
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Xi Lauds China-Russia Ties as Putin Arrives in Beijing

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing, China May 16, 2024. Sputnik/Sergei Bobylev/Pool via REUTERS
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing, China May 16, 2024. Sputnik/Sergei Bobylev/Pool via REUTERS

Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to work with counterpart Vladimir Putin to "rejuvenate" their countries as the pair started a day of talks in Beijing, saying China would "always be a good partner" of Russia, according to Chinese state media.

Putin arrived on Thursday for a two-day state visit that will include detailed talks on Ukraine, Asia, energy and trade with Xi, his most powerful political backer and fellow geopolitical rival of the United States.

"The China-Russia relationship today is hard-earned, and the two sides need to cherish and nurture it," Xi told Putin as they met in Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

"China is willing to ... jointly achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries, and work together to uphold fairness and justice in the world."

China and Russia declared a "no limits" partnership in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing just days before he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine, triggering the deadliest land war in Europe since World War Two.

By picking China for his first foreign trip since being sworn in this month for a six-year term that will keep him in power until at least 2030, Putin is sending a message to the world about his priorities and the strength of his personal ties with Xi, Reuters reported.

Putin told Xi their co-operation was a stabilizing factor.

"It is of crucial significance that relations between Russia and China are not opportunistic and are not directed against anyone," Russia's RIA Novosti news agency cited Putin as saying.

Later describing their initial session as "warm and comradely", Putin outlined sectors where the two are strengthening ties, from nuclear and energy co-operation to food supplies and Chinese car manufacturing in Russia.

The leaders formally signed a statement deepening their strategic relationship, with Xi saying both sides agreed that a political settlement to the Ukraine crisis was the "right direction.”

Putin said he was grateful to China for trying to solve the crisis, adding that he would brief Xi on the situation in Ukraine, where Russian forces are advancing on several fronts.

In an interview with China's Xinhua news agency before his departure, Putin praised Xi for helping to build a that partnership based on national interests and deep mutual trust.



West Africa Bloc Announces Formal Exit of Three Junta-Led States 

A man waving the flag of Burkina Faso stands on top of a car during a gathering to celebrate the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Kurukanfuga on January 28, 2025. (AFP)
A man waving the flag of Burkina Faso stands on top of a car during a gathering to celebrate the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Kurukanfuga on January 28, 2025. (AFP)
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West Africa Bloc Announces Formal Exit of Three Junta-Led States 

A man waving the flag of Burkina Faso stands on top of a car during a gathering to celebrate the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Kurukanfuga on January 28, 2025. (AFP)
A man waving the flag of Burkina Faso stands on top of a car during a gathering to celebrate the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Kurukanfuga on January 28, 2025. (AFP)

The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday announced the formal exit of junta-led Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the bloc following their withdrawal last year.

West Africa has been rocked by a spate of coups that has countries in the 15-member body under military rule in the past five years.

"The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and Republic of Niger has become effective today, 29th January 2025," ECOWAS said in a statement.

The three states announced their withdrawal from the bloc last January after ECOWAS demanded a restoration of democratic rule in Niger following a military coup in 2023.

Instead, the three breakaway states formed Alliance of Sahel States, an alternate bloc and launched their own biometric passports.

ECOWAS said on Wednesday the remaining members tentatively agreed to "keep ECOWAS doors open" by recognizing national passports and identity bearing the bloc's logo from the countries, to continue trade under existing regional agreement, and to continue diplomatic cooperation with the countries.

In December, ECOWAS gave Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger a six-month grace period to rethink their exit.

"These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future engagement with the three countries of by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government," ECOWAS said.