Updated: As Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in China on Monday for an official visit, many observers said the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership will be further strengthened despite US pressure.
A memorandum of understanding to establish friendly exchange relations was signed last week between Malaita Province of the Solomon Islands and East China's Jiangsu Province in Auki, the provincial capital of Malaita. This new chapter follows years of skepticism, indicating a pivot toward cooperation and mutual growth, analysts noted.
Russian FM's visit to China 'further strengthens strategic partnership'
By Yang Sheng
As Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in China on Monday for an official visit, many observers said the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership will be further strengthened despite US pressure.
At the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Russian top diplomat will pay an official visit to China from Monday to Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Sunday.
Mao said at a routine press conference on Monday that the two sides will exchange views and coordinate stances on the development of bilateral ties, cooperation in different fields and the international issues of shared common concern on the sidelines of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-Russia diplomatic relations.
As Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced earlier, in Beijing Lavrov will hold talks with Wang. In particular, the ministers will discuss the situation in Ukraine and the Asia-Pacific region, issues of bilateral cooperation and interaction in the international arena, Zakharova said, TASS reported on Monday.
Cui Heng, a scholar from the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times on Monday that "Lavrov could be paving the way for the first foreign visit of President Putin since his reelection, but the final confirmation would be a formal announcement released by the two sides."
Reuters reported in March that Putin will travel to China in May, in what could be the Kremlin chief's first overseas trip of his new presidential term, citing five sources familiar with the matter. The Kremlin, when asked about the Reuters report, said information on Putin's visits would be released closer to the date.
Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, said the Russian top diplomat could discuss with China about some urgent and hotspot issues like the Ukraine crisis and counterterrorism cooperation.
Russia just experienced a horrific terrorist attack in Moscow, and the attackers are from Central Asia. Chinese engineers in Pakistan have also been attacked by terrorists in the region, so both China and Russia share common concerns about terrorism, said analysts.
China and Russia are two major powers in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and counterterrorism cooperation between them and other SCO members is significant for regional peace and stability, especially when the threat of terrorism has reemerged in some regions, experts said. Apart from the discussion on diplomatic level, the militaries, law-enforcement and intelligence agencies of the two countries will also promote the cooperation to target terrorism, experts said.
China-Russia-US trilateral relations
US Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen is also on her visit to China and she warned that Chinese companies could face "significant consequences" if they provided "material support for Russia's war on Ukraine," according to the release from US Department of Treasury.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in response China's stance is very clear and has always paid constructive efforts for mediation to stop the conflict. The Chinese foreign ministry added that other countries should not attack and smear the normal relations between China and Russia, and should not harm the legitimate rights and interests of China and Chinese companies, noting China will take firm measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
Yang Jin, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday China has its own principles in developing ties with major powers like Russia and the US, as "we will never interference in other countries' internal affairs and will not meddle in the ties between other countries, so we hope the US could show the same respect to the China-Russia relations."
China is paying efforts to mediate the conflict between Russia and Ukraine since the very beginning of the crisis, and China never adds fuels to the flame, and if the US sanctions Chinese companies who do normal business with Russia in the name of "supporting Russia's war on Ukraine," that would be very unwise, as China will retaliate for sure, experts said.
Cui said that the timing of Lavrov's visit to China is very interesting, as it's overlapping with the time of Yellen's visit, and takes place before the potential visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, "so this just shows the complexity of the interactions between China, Russia and the US, and in the trilateral relations, China is driven by its own national interests."
Li said in the China-Russia-US relations, "we are in a position with the most flexibility, while the US and Russia have very limited space to change the deadlock and hostility in their relations. The key for China to remain flexible is that we don't favor one take over another."
Solomon Islands' Malaita forms bond with China's Jiangsu, embracing development, goodwill
By Shan Jie
A memorandum of understanding to establish friendly exchange relations was signed last week between Malaita Province of the Solomon Islands and East China's Jiangsu Province in Auki, the provincial capital of Malaita. This new chapter follows years of skepticism, indicating a pivot toward cooperation and mutual growth, analysts noted.
The ceremony on April 4 was attended by nearly 40 people, including Chinese representatives, the ambassador, and provincial legislators and officials from Malaita, the Global Times learned from the Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands.
Cai Weiming, the Chinese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, stated that China would actively promote friendly provincial cooperation with the Solomon Islands central government and Malaita's government. This includes projects like construction of the Auki Road, broadband networks, and sustainable rural development, aiming to foster economic and social advancement locally and benefit the people of Malaita and beyond.
Jiangsu Province is renowned for its economic prosperity, ranking second in GDP in China at more than 12 trillion yuan ($1.74 trillion) in 2023.
On the same day, a ceremony for the handover of livelihood supplies from Jiangsu to Malaita took place in Auki. Ambassador Cai, on behalf of Jiangsu, delivered essential items like water tanks, solar lamps, and fishing nets to Malaita's governor, Martin Fini.
Cai said that the donation from Jiangsu to Malaita injects new vigor into their collaboration, expressing hope that it will play a positive role in the province's development. He emphasized that the cooperation between Solomon Islands and China is not about exploitation or creating debt traps, but about sharing development opportunities.
Governor Fini thanked China for its generous support, noting that the supplies would alleviate local hardships and improve living conditions. Malaita is keen to deepen cooperation with Jiangsu, fostering continuous socio-economic growth and contributing to the bilateral relations between the two nations.
During a visit to the Kilusakwalo community in Malaita Province, Ambassador Cai and China's Special Envoy for Pacific Island Affairs Qian Bo were greeted with traditional dances and songs, demonstrating the warm local welcome.
Previously, Malaita had a unique political stance within the Solomon Islands, showing skepticism toward closer bilateral ties with China. However, four years of constructive engagement with China has sparked real hope for development in the Solomon Islands.
The two countries established diplomatic ties on September 21, 2019. Half a month later, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare paid his first visit to China, during which the Solomon Islands officially joined the Belt and Road Initiative.
Currently, key initiatives include a Chinese-funded comprehensive medical center, which broke ground in December 2023 and is advancing rapidly, promising enhanced healthcare services for the locals.
In November last year, the Solomon Islands successfully hosted the Pacific Games in a stadium built with Chinese aid. Additionally, the Chinese Navy hospital ship Peace Ark provided medical services in Honiara, and the police cooperation between the Solomon Islands and China has improved local social stability.
These tangible benefits have gradually warmed the Malaitians to China, with a recent poll showing 61 percent of respondents favor maintaining the relationship after this year's elections.
Local experts said that Malaita's shift indicates a deep-rooted recognition of China.
"The China-Solomon Islands relationship, forged under very trying conditions, is now maturing," Dr Luke Mani, director of the Solomon Islands Foreign Policy Advisory Secretariat, told the Global Times. "Evidence abounds that Solomon Islanders [have now] firmly and openly embraced China."
Various infrastructure projects funded by traditional multilateral development partners such as the Munda Airport and terminal upgrades, Henderson Airport runway extensions, and East-West Honiara highway have benefited from the expertise and quality of Chinese engineering firms such as China Civil Engineering Construction Company and China Railway, Mani said.
The former premier of Malaita Province, Daniel Suidani, attracted attention for his opposition to the Solomon Islands' relations with China. His stance led to conflicts with the central government, culminating in his removal from office in February 2023, following a no-confidence motion passed by the provincial assembly.
Suidani also maintained close ties with the island of Taiwan. In May 2021, he traveled to Taipei for medical treatment, a move that was condemned by the Solomon Islands' government as "unauthorized."
These political tensions sparked demonstrations and riots, particularly in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. In 2021, residents of Malaita and other islands expressed opposition to the Solomon Islands government's decision to establish diplomatic relations with China, leading to violent incidents. Parts of Honiara, especially the Chinatown in the city center, were burned and looted, resulting in significant losses for Chinese nationals.
Days after the riots, Prime Minister Sogavare told the press that the crisis was "influenced and encouraged by other powers." He further indicated that these forces influencing Malaita, the main island of the nation, are those that "don't want ties with the People's Republic of China," according to the Sydney Morning Herald.