BEIJING: Chinese Premier Li Qiang will visit Russia and Belarus this week, Beijing’s foreign ministry said on Monday.

Li’s visit comes as China and Russia ramp up economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts.

“Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have eliminated external interference and maintained healthy and stable development,” foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular media briefing.

She said in a statement Li’s visit from Tuesday to Friday would include “the 29th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government”.

Mao said Li planned to “exchange in-depth views on practical cooperation in bilateral relations and issues of common concern” in talks with Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin.

Russia and China’s strategic partnership has grown closer since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, which Beijing has never condemned.

China presents itself as a neutral party in the war and says it is not sending lethal assistance to either side, unlike the United States and other Western nations.

However, China is a close political and economic ally of Russia and NATO members have branded Beijing a “decisive enabler” of the war.

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Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko visited China twice last year, promising in December to be a “reliable partner” to Beijing.

Belarus relies heavily on Russia for political and financial support and was used as a launchpad for Moscow’s assault against Ukraine in February 2022.

It officially joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in July, becoming the 10th member of the expanding bloc of nations Beijing sees as a potential counterweight to the world order led by the United States.

“China and Belarus are all-weather comprehensive strategic partners,” Mao said on Monday.