China says top diplomat Wang Yi to visit Russia next week

China’s foreign ministry announced on Friday that top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi will visit Russia from March 31 to April 2 at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Beijing and Moscow have strengthened economic cooperation and diplomatic ties in recent years, with their strategic partnership growing even closer since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. China presents itself as a neutral party in the conflict and claims it is not providing lethal assistance to either side, unlike the United States and other Western nations.

However, China remains a close political and economic ally of Russia, and NATO members have labeled Beijing a “decisive enabler” of the war, which China has never condemned. Despite this, Beijing has stated that it welcomes all steps toward a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.