Top Russia diplomat Lavrov arrives in China
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in China for an official visit on Monday, his ministry said, as the two countries look to strengthen diplomatic ties as Russia's military offensive in Ukraine grinds on. It announced Lavrov had touched down in Beijing in a post on X on Monday morning. He will spend two days in the capital and hold meetings with his counterpart Wang Yi, according to a previous readout from the ministry. "An in-depth exchange of points of view is expected on a certain number of 'burning subjects'," the statement said, citing "the Ukrainian crisis and the situation in the Asia-Pacific region". It added they would "discuss a wide range of questions linked to bilateral cooperation, as well as cooperation on the international scene". Lavrov last visited Beijing in October for an international forum on President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. (AFP)