China’s Xi Jinping launches Russia trip with thanks for Moscow over Taiwan

Xi Jinping kicked off his state visit to Russia on Wednesday by thanking Moscow for supporting Taiwan’s reunification with mainland China.

In a signed article in Russia’s state-run Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper ahead of his four-day trip to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, the Chinese president framed its stance on Taiwan as a part of the post-war international order that must be upheld.

“No matter how the situation on the island of Taiwan changes, and no matter how external forces try to stir up trouble, the historical trend that China will and must be reunified is unstoppable,” Xi wrote.

Celebrating the “enduring friendship” between Moscow and Beijing, he said the two countries had supported each other since World War II, and the China-Russia relationship would not be influenced by nor aimed at any “third party”.

The visit comes as Beijing and one of those third parties – Washington – prepare for their first face-to-face trade talks since the announcement of US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs on April 2. On Wednesday, Beijing confirmed that Vice-Premier He Lifeng would meet his US counterparts in Switzerland to talk tariffs.