Russian President Vladimir Putin described China on Thursday as an ally of Russia and stood behind Beijing's claims for Taiwan, while at the same time declaring that no country has anything to fear from deepening Sino-Russian cooperation, reports "Reuters", quoted by News.bg.< /p>
The two countries have not declared a formal military alliance, but Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have signed an "unrestricted" partnership agreement. in 2022, less than three weeks before Putin sends his troops into Ukraine.
In May this year, they agreed to deepen what they called a "comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation" for a new era.
"We do not believe that China is pursuing an aggressive policy in the region," Putin said at the Valdai discussion club. in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.
He suggested that Taiwan was trying to provoke a Ukraine-style crisis in Asia to attract foreign support.
China views Taiwan as its territory, despite strong objections from the government in Taipei, and regularly conducts military exercises near the island.
"A lot of things are happening around Taiwan," Putin said. "Everyone officially recognizes, yes, Taiwan is part of China. But in reality? In reality, it works in a completely different direction. It provoked the situation to escalate.
"We support China. And because of this, we believe that China is pursuing a perfectly reasonable policy. And also because he is our ally. We have a very large trade turnover, we cooperate in the security sector."
Taiwan's foreign ministry said China and Russia are the real problem.
"Putin's regime launched an aggressive war against Ukraine, resulting in misery for the people of Ukraine and sanctions and condemnation from the international community,'' it said in a statement.
"China and Russia together continue to undermine the rules-based international order and have become a serious threat to world peace and stability."
Putin compared military exercises between Russia and China to those the United States is conducting with Japan.
"These exercises do not threaten anyone," Putin said. "They are aimed at ensuring our security."