China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popsoi on Thursday, expressing that Beijing values its relationship with the Eastern European nation and wants to strengthen their partnership, according to a Friday statement from China’s foreign ministry.
The diplomatic meeting took place shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin completed a ceremonial 24-hour state visit to Beijing, where he held talks with President Xi Jinping. During Putin’s visit, the two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation and provide greater mutual support.
According to the Chinese foreign ministry’s official summary of Thursday’s discussions, the representatives from both nations also discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This marks the first time a Moldovan foreign minister has visited China in nearly eight years.
China has refrained from criticizing Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and avoids using the term “invasion” when referring to the conflict. Instead, Beijing advocates for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis, a stance Wang repeated during his conversation with Popsoi, the statement indicated.
Moldova shares a border with Ukraine and has publicly denounced Russia’s military offensive. The country has experienced long-standing tensions with Moscow regarding the breakaway region of Transdniestria, which declared independence while Moldova was still part of the Soviet Union and maintains pro-Russian leadership.
Approximately 1,500 Russian military personnel remain stationed in the disputed territory, with Moscow characterizing their role as peacekeeping forces. The region continues to receive significant financial and political support from Russia.
Moldova’s current administration, which has set a goal of joining the European Union by 2030, views both the separatist region and the Russian military deployment as tools Moscow uses to influence the country’s domestic policies.
“Wang said China cherishes the traditional friendship between the two countries, and stands ready to work with Moldova to further cement mutual trust,” according to the ministry’s official statement.
