Russia and China deepen their solidarity with summit between Putin and Xi

시진핑•푸틴 회담서 우애 과시 더 공고해진 ‘반서방 연대’ Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping met earlier this week at a global summit celebrating ten years of Xi’s signature foreign and economic policy, the Belt and Road Initiative. The two leaders agreed that outside factors such as war and conflict are common threats that are only strengthening Russian-Chinese cooperation. Such a boost in ties is not only seen between Russia and China but with Russia and North Korea with a suspected arms transfer between the two having been reported several times. What should South Korea’s diplomatic strategy be amid such a deepening relationship between China, North Korea, and Russia? For more on this, we have invited Professor Ban Kil-joo from the Ilmin International Relations Institute at Korea University. Professor Ban, welcome. We also welcome Professor Mason Richey from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Professor Richey, welcome. (BAN) Q1. World leaders have gathered in Beijing for China’s Belt and Road Initiative Forum with Russian President Vladimir Putin also there. Before we delve into the details, I would like to start with the basic question. What is China’s Belt and Road Initiative or BRI? (RICHEY) Q2. Alright, so the BRI is Xi Jinping’s signature policy of stitching China closer to the world through massive investments and infrastructure projects. But there were many reports that say it is just ’debt trap’ diplomacy. How successful has the BRI been? (BAN) Q3. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met in Beijing at a time when geopolitical fault lines have been hardened globally. What did their first meeting in seven months hint at? **(RICHEY) Q4. Though Putin said in a press conference that he informed Xi Jinping about the situation in Ukraine, no specifics were reported. What could have been discussed between the two regarding the war in Ukraine? **(BAN) Q5. The conflict in the Middle East was of course included on the agenda. The two leaders agreed that such a conflict was a common threat that brings the two countries closer together, but again, specific details were not released. Given that China recently said Israel’s actions have gone beyond the scope of self-defense, and Russia is also expected to table a UNSC resolution calling for a ceasefire without naming Hamas, could we say they are siding with Hamas? (RICHEY) Q6. How might the positions of Russia and China on the issue affect the Israel-Hamas conflict in any way? **(BAN) Q7. On their economies, Putin noted that bilateral trade is on track to pass a record 200-billion U.S. dollars this year, and underscored the importance of much closer policy coordination. How are the two economically supporting each other, and what further mutual partnerships could be made? (RICHEY) Q8. We need to also tap into strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea. The boosting of the partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang is evident given the fact two Russian ships made at least five round trips between the two beginning in mid-August. This was even before the Vostochny Summit took place. What does this hint at? (BAN) Q9. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited North Korea and said his visit to Pyongyang will mark an opportunity for “substantial results“ for implementing agreements reached between their leaders that would of course include Putin’s potential visit to Pyongyang soon, right? How did you see his visit? (RICHEY) Q10. How does China view the strengthening of Moscow-Pyongyang ties? (BAN) Q11. Amid strengthening ties between Russia, North Korea, and even China, what should South Korea’s diplomatic strategy be? That’s all the time we have for today’s edition. Thank you Professor Ban and Professor Richey for your time and insights. We appreciate it. #China #Russia #Belt_and_Road_forum #Summit #VladimirPutin #XiJinping #중국 #러시아 #정상_회담 #시진핑 #푸틴 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스 📣 Facebook : 📣 Twitter : 📣 Homepage : 2023-10-19, 18:30 (KST)