Xi Jinping Says War Must Stop Urgently, Sends Ceasefire Message to Putin

[Financial News] Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the need to end the war in the Middle East and secure a ceasefire during their summit. They also agreed to extend the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia. The move is seen as an effort to strengthen strategic coordination against the U.S.-led international order and pressure on China and Russia, while also boosting China’s diplomatic presence by putting a ceasefire and negotiations at the center of the Middle East issue.
According to Xinhua News Agency on the 20th, Xi held a summit with Putin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and said, "The Middle East and the Persian Gulf region are now at a critical crossroads between war and peace."
Xi said, "An immediate end to the war is urgent, and it is not desirable for the fighting to resume." He added, "It is especially important to keep negotiations going. The war must end as soon as possible to stabilize energy supplies, ensure the smooth operation of industry and supply chains, and reduce shocks to the international trade order."
He explained that the "Four-Point Proposal on Middle East Peace and Stability" that he put forward was intended "to further build international consensus and contribute to easing tensions and advancing a ceasefire."
The proposal was presented last month during Xi's meeting with Khalid bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in the UAE. It calls for peaceful coexistence, respect for national sovereignty, adherence to international law, and the parallel pursuit of development and security. China has consistently called for a diplomatic solution and an early ceasefire amid rising military tensions between the United States and Iran.
The two leaders also agreed to extend the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. Xi said, "Twenty-five years ago, the two countries signed the treaty and established the institutional foundation for long-term good-neighborly friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperation." He added, "This has led to the rapid development of China-Russia relations." He then argued that "the international situation is undergoing major changes, and the world faces the risk of sliding back into the law of the jungle." Against that backdrop, he said, "The advanced nature and practical value of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation are becoming even more evident," adding that "China supports the extension of the treaty and will work firmly with Russia to advance strategic cooperation."
Xi also said that "the current international situation is chaotic and complex, and the tide of unilateral hegemonism is spreading." He did not mention the United States directly, but the remarks are being interpreted as a message aimed at recent U.S. pressure on China and sanctions on Russia.
Putin's visit to China came shortly after Donald Trump's trip to China, drawing attention to Beijing's balancing diplomacy within the U.S.-China-Russia triangle.
According to the Financial Times (FT), Trump said at the White House on the 19th, local time, that "during last week's U.S.-China summit, Xi promised me that he would not send any weapons to Iran."

km@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-min Reporter