Putin considers China host For a possible trilateral

Oct 1

Wang Huiyao refers to earlier summits and Xi’s recently completed US visit, asks about a possible APEC trilateral and China’s role in peace. Putin praises China’s peaceful cooperation policy, claiming that it does not seek to resolve problems through pressure or military force. He says Russia and China are linking the Belt and Road initiative with Russian initiatives including the Greater Eurasian Partnership. On a possible APEC trilateral he says meetings are useful but China as host would have a major role and an agenda still needs defining. He gives no confirmed date, acceptance by all leaders or agreed agenda. Putin’s historical generalizations about Chinese policy remain attributed.

In two Valdai exchanges, Putin supports useful dialogue with Trump and Xi but says a possible trilateral needs an agenda. Responding to Wang’s suggested APEC format, he says China as host would play a major role. Neither exchange confirms a three-leader meeting, invitations accepted by all sides, a date or agreed subjects.