China’s new diplomat to visit Russia amid tensions with US

China’s top diplomat will visit Russia this month, according to its foreign ministry, in the first visit to the country by a Chinese official in that capacity since Moscow’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Wang Yi, who was named top foreign policy adviser to Chinese leader Xi Jinping last month, will visit Russia during an eight-day international trip starting Tuesday that will also include visits to France, Italy, Hungary. and a speech at the Munich Security Conference next weekend, which US Secretary of State Antony Blinken may also attend.

The foreign itinerary is Wang’s first since stepping down as foreign minister and taking up his new role, and could be a test of the diplomat’s ability to balance Beijing’s close ties with Moscow while trying to improve China’s image and relations with Europe – and by extension with the United States.

Wang’s participation in the Munich Security Conference, which Blinken is expected to attend, could offer a chance for the two to meet in person for the first time since US-China tensions rose again after an alleged Chinese surveillance balloon entered space. US airline at the end of last month.

The fallout from the balloon was swift, with Washington accusing China of overseeing an international surveillance program – and Beijing denying those allegations and in turn accusing the US of “illegally” launching high-altitude balloons into its airspace more than 10 times since the beginning of last year. China says the balloon, which US forces identified and later shot down earlier this month, is a civilian research aircraft accidentally blown off course.

The incident also had an immediate impact on what was seen as an opportunity for the US and China to stabilize relations, as Blinken postponed an expected visit to Beijing in early February after US officials announced they were tracking the device.

On Monday, State Department spokesman Ned Price declined to confirm that Blinken would attend the Munich conference and said there was no meeting scheduled with a Chinese official. He noted, however, that the US was “always weighing options for diplomacy”, including meetings in third countries.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin did not mention any potential meetings with Blinken when announcing Wang Yi’s travel plans during a press briefing on Monday.

Wang’s itinerary would bring an opportunity for China to work towards “further progress in bilateral relations” with France, Italy and Hungary, as well as “promoting China-EU strategic mutual trust”, the spokesperson said.

China’s relationship with Europe has come under significant stress after the war in Ukraine. Beijing has refused to openly condemn the invasion or support numerous measures against it at the United Nations. China also continued to partner with the Russian military during large-scale exercises, while increasing its trade and fuel purchases from Moscow.

According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang’s visit to Moscow will provide an opportunity for China and Russia to continue to develop their strategic partnership and “exchange views” on “critical international and regional issues”. of common interest” – a common phrase often used to allude to topics including the war in Ukraine.

The Foreign Ministry did not specify whether Wang would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“China is ready to seize this visit as an opportunity and work with Russia to promote the steady growth of bilateral relations in the direction identified by the two heads of state, defend the legitimate rights and interests of both sides, and play an active role in peace in the world,” said spokesman Wang Wenbin.

Wang’s visit could also be a harbinger of a state visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Moscow later this year. Putin extended an invitation to Xi during a customary end-of-year call between the two leaders, but China’s foreign ministry has yet to confirm any plans.

Jennifer Hansler and Wayne Chang of CNN contributed to this story