Russian President Vladimir Putin praised China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative on Friday, underscoring warming ties between the neighbouring powers.
Putin’s comments Friday to a forum in Beijing appeared to downplay the potential for tensions between China and Russia. They also reflect Beijing and Moscow’s shared resistance to US global influence.
The Belt and Road is rapidly expanding China’s economic footprint in Central Asia, Moscow’s traditional sphere of influence. But in an interview published Thursday remarking on 70 years of diplomatic relations, Putin praised Russia-China ties.
“It would be no exaggeration to say that our countries have approached this anniversary with relations the best they have been in their entire history,” Putin said.
