Xi Travels to Russia and Pledges Support for Putin
On Monday, March 20 Chinese President Xi Jinping traveled to Russia for a two-day state visit. It is the first state visit by the Chinese leader since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine more than a year ago. Xi praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for his “strong leadership” and suggested that the Russian leader would be successful in next year’s presidential election. Informal talks were held between the two heads of state prior to a six-course meal. Formal talks are scheduled for Tuesday between the authoritarian leaders, and this marks the fortieth such meeting between the two since 2012.
What happened in Russia?
Instructors: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Download: CQP_Lecture_Spark_PPT_Xi Travels to Russia and Pledges Support for Putin
Videos
News Articles
Xi Jinping says China ready to ‘stand guard over world order’ on Moscow visit
THE GUARDIAN
March 20, 2023
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/20/xi-jinping-vladimir-putin-moscow-ukraine-war
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping praise ‘no limits friendship’ during Chinese president’s trip to Russia
SKY NEWS
March 20, 2023
China’s Xi stresses close ties with ‘dear friend’ Putin during his first visit to Russia since Ukraine invasion
CNN
March 20, 2023
https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/20/europe/xi-putin-china-russia-visit-monday-intl-hnk/index.html
Xi Jinping praises Vladimir Putin’s ‘strong leadership’ in Kremlin talks
FINANCIAL TIMES
March 20, 2023
https://www.ft.com/content/c82f1a91-8b60-40b6-81d9-494cf7ec2325
Xi Putin meeting: What to expect from China-Russia talks
BBC NEWS
March 19, 2023
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64990826
What are the key issues to watch for in the China-Russia meetings? – analysis
THE JERUSALEM POST
March 20, 2023
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-734837
China’s Xi Jinping flexes his diplomatic muscle with a visit to Moscow
NPR
March 19, 2023
https://www.npr.org/2023/03/19/1164622707/china-xi-jinping-russia-putin-ukraine-diplomacy
What Putin and Xi each get out of their “friendship”
AXIOS
March 20, 2023
https://www.axios.com/2023/03/20/xi-putin-dear-friends-moscow-state-visit
Assessment
Writing: What is the significance of Xi Jinping’s state visit to Russia?
Debate: Should China’s peace proposal for ending the war in Ukraine be seriously considered given their alliance with Russia?
Poll: Should the International Criminal Court have issued an arrest warrant to Putin for war crimes ?
Short Answer: What do China and Russia hope to accomplish with President Xi’s visit?
News Quiz
True/False
Xi and Putin have met over 30 times since 2012. (T/F)
China has decreased its imports of Russian oil because of Western sanctions on Russia. (T/F)
China and Russia are eager to create an alliance of countries that are anti-Western. (T/F)
Multiple Choice
Russia’s trade with China accounts for what percentage of its imports and exports?
- 30.
- 25.
- 15.
- 10.
Both China and Russia subscribe to the idea of what type of world?
- Unipolar.
- Multipolar.
- Bipolar.
- Anarchy.
All the following are issues that China and Russia plan to address EXCEPT.
- Trade.
- Peace plan.
- Immigration.
- Unity.
