UPDATE - Russian, Chinese presidents discuss challenges facing world

ADDS STATEMENT BY XI JINPING

By Riyaz ul Khaliq and Elena Teslova

ISTANBUL / MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping discussed Thursday the challenges facing the changing world.

On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the historic city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, both leaders agreed to strengthen the group as a platform for constructive and creative interaction.

Putin said attempts to create a unipolar world have recently acquired "absolutely ugly outlines" and are unacceptable for the overwhelming number of states on the planet.

“For the first time in three years – after the break caused by the pandemic – the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit is held in person,” he said, adding that this is important now to strengthen the SCO as a platform for constructive interaction.

Turning to the situation in Taiwan, Putin called characterized US actions as "provocations" aimed to support Taiwan's stance to separate from China.

“We firmly adhere to the principle of ‘one China.’ We condemn the provocations of the United States and its satellites in the Taiwan Strait," he said.

For his part, Xi said that "in the face of the colossal changes” on a global scale, China is ready, together with its Russian colleagues, to set an example of responsible world power and play a leading role to put a rapidly changing world on the trajectory of sustainable and positive development.

“China is ready to work with Russia in extending strong support to each other on issues concerning respective core interests,” Xi told Putin.

He said China and Russia “closely coordinated” on the international stage and Beijing is “willing to work together” with Moscow “to inject stability into a turbulent world.”

Xi also noted that despite the coronavirus pandemic, Putin and he continued to maintain "effective strategic contacts," on the telephone.

It is their first face-to-face meeting since the Beijing Olympics in February.

The pair exchanged several phone calls after Russia launched a war Feb. 24 on Ukraine.