ANKARA
Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Tuesday for China and Russia to “jointly safeguard” the stability and smooth functioning of the global energy supply chain, as the US continues to pressure Beijing to curb imports of Russian oil.
In a congratulatory message to the 7th China-Russia Energy Business Forum in Beijing, Xi said energy cooperation between the two countries got off to an early start and has a solid foundation, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
"China is willing to work with Russia to continuously consolidate the comprehensive energy partnership, jointly safeguard the stability and smooth flow of the global energy industry chain, and supply chain," Xi said.
Washington has urged both China and India to reduce or halt their purchases of Russian oil amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Xi said China is prepared to deepen cooperation with Moscow to promote a fairer, more just, balanced, and inclusive global energy governance system, improve global energy security, and support green and low-carbon transitions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a congratulatory message to the forum, which opened Tuesday in Beijing with around 450 participants, including political figures, representatives of more than 100 major Russian and Chinese companies, scientists, academics and analysts.
Xi meets Tonga’s king
Separately, Xi met with Tonga’s King Tupou VI in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss bilateral ties, the Foreign Ministry said.
China will "always" support Tonga in safeguarding its national independence and sovereignty, Xi said, adding that Beijing is willing to expand cooperation with the Pacific island nation in areas such as trade and investment, clean energy and climate-change response. He said China would continue to assist Tonga’s economic and social development under the framework of South-South cooperation.
Beijing is ready to “jointly build a China-Pacific Island countries community with a shared future,” Xi added.
King Tupou VI said Tonga places “high value” on its ties with Beijing and firmly adheres to the “one-China principle,” expressing support for China’s efforts toward “national reunification.”