China is seeking additional sources to strengthen its position

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV channel.

"The volume and structure of the economies of China and Russia are absolutely incomparable. 30% of Russian trade is with China. In February, there were record figures for oil supplies to China for all the years of cooperation with Russia. Russia is becoming a raw material appendage of China. In return, China has only 3% of its trade with Russia. Currently, the economic situation in China is not the best. China is afraid of sanctions, the Americans have leverage over China, but there is also interdependence. China has systemic problems. They need technologies, chips, and Russia has some military technologies," Chaly explained.

According to the diplomat, China is interested in increasing its nuclear potential and carriers.

"Russia has really invested a lot of money in intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles, and this is the main area of Sino-Russian talks. China wants to use Russia in the competition with the US that China has set itself. China has long-term goals. Some of the things that are discussed in Moscow behind closed doors are about China's search for additional sources to strengthen its competitive position, both economically and militarily," Chaly said.

• On March 20, Xi Jinping had an informal meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow. It lasted 4.5 hours.

• During his meeting with Putin, Xi Jinping said that China would continue to play a constructive role in resolving the "Ukrainian issue." According to the Russian leader, Russia has carefully studied China's "peace plan" and is open to negotiations.

• Chinese leader Xi Jinping has invited Vladimir Putin to visit China this year.

• On Tuesday, March 21, an official meeting between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping began in the Kremlin.