China and Russia held a joint summit in Beijing where leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin condemned a "law of the jungle" approach to international affairs, implicitly criticizing US foreign policy. During the meeting, both nations specifically criticized the US president's Golden Dome missile defense shield plans and Washington's "irresponsible" nuclear policy, stating these posed a threat to global strategic stability.
Summit Highlights
Despite emphasizing the "unprecedented level" of their bilateral relations, the leaders failed to finalize a crucial deal for the Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline, which is vital for Russia's economy. The proposed pipeline, intended to transport gas from Russia to China via Mongolia, has been under discussion for years, with key details like pricing remaining unresolved.
Criticism of US Policies
The summit also saw Xi and Putin criticize the US over the expiration of the last remaining treaty restricting the size of US and Russian nuclear arsenals, which lapsed without an extension. The criticism comes a week after President Xi Jinping hosted Trump in Beijing.
In a joint statement, the two leaders called for a return to multilateralism and warned against unilateral actions that undermine global security. They emphasized the need for dialogue and cooperation in addressing international challenges.
