Friday, July 11, 2025

President Xi Jinping Has Virtual Meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin

On the afternoon of January 21, President Xi Jinping had a virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The two presidents exchanged New Year greetings. President Xi expressed his pleasure in having a virtual meeting with President Putin just a few days before the Chinese Spring Festival, and shared his hope for a flourishing China-Russia relationship in the year ahead. President Putin responded by expressing his pleasure to talk to President Xi via video link at the beginning of the New Year. He wished President Xi and the Chinese people a happy Spring Festival and all the best.

President Xi recalled the three meetings he had with President Putin in 2024 and the many important common understandings they reached. In 2024, the two countries celebrated the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. The bilateral relationship, centering on the spirit of lasting good-neighborliness and friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation, demonstrated renewed vitality. The China-Russia Years of Culture had many highlights. Practical cooperation made steady progress. Two-way trade maintained growth momentum. Close coordination in such multilateral fora as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS provided more positive energy to the reform and development of the global governance system.

President Xi stressed his readiness to work with President Putin and guide China-Russia relations to a new height in 2025, to respond to external uncertainties with the stability and resilience of China-Russia ties, to boost the development and prosperity of both countries, and to uphold international fairness and justice. He underscored the need for the two countries to deepen strategic coordination, firmly support each other, and defend their legitimate interests. He also noted the need to cement and expand bilateral relations with a view to deepening practical cooperation. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War. It also marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. China and Russia should take the opportunities presented by the anniversaries to jointly safeguard the U.N.-centered international system and the fruits of victory in World War II, and to call on all countries to observe the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, uphold universally recognized basic norms of international relations, and follow true multilateralism. As the rotating president of the SCO, China will work with Russia and other member states to take the organization to a new stage featuring higher-quality development and greater responsibility and contribution. China and Russia should also work together to advance greater BRICS cooperation and write a new chapter of the Global South pursuing strength through unity.

President Putin noted that Russia and China always trust each other, support each other, and treat each other as equals, and that the bilateral cooperation, which serves the interests of both peoples, has remained impervious to shifts in the international landscape. It is good to see that bilateral trade and energy cooperation keeps sound momentum, mutual visits by tourists are on the rise, and the two sides have close communication and collaboration in multilateral arena. Russia firmly supports the fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and firmly opposes “Taiwan independence” in any form. Eighty years ago, Russia and China fought against aggressors at the cost of blood and life, thus safeguarding national sovereignty and dignity. This year, the two countries should jointly celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and defend the outcomes of World War II. Russia will work with China to strengthen cooperation in multilateral affairs and play a positive role for world peace and development.

The two presidents also had an in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues of mutual interest, and agreed to maintain strategic communication in 2025.

Wang Yi attended the meeting.

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Geologists study land sliding processes in Ghverki, Khemaghali villages

Geologists are studying land sliding processes in Ghverki and Khemaghali villages of the Kharagauli municipality, Imereti region.First Deputy of Imereti Regional Envoy, Mamuka Khimshiashvili, Kharagauli Mayor Koba Lursmanashvili and local government representatives arrived at the site to assess possible risks.Locals were evacuated from the territory for safety measures last night. The local government called on residents to follow instructions from relevant services.The local government reported that activation of land sliding processes significantly damaged houses, roads and agriculture plots.

PM Kobakhidze: Georgian seafarers’ welfare state’s main priority

“Our seafarers make a significant contribution to Georgia’s economy. This contribution, expressed in numbers, amounts to approximately $200 million USD annually,” Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated while speaking at an event dedicated to International Maritime Day in Batumi.As the Prime Minister noted, the welfare of Georgian seafarers and their decent working and living conditions are the state’s main priority.“Every Georgian seafarer is our country’s pride. Seafarer certificates issued by Georgia are recognized by the European Union and more than 50 countries worldwide. This is recognition of Georgian seafarers’ professionalism, industriousness, and reliability at the international level.The welfare of Georgian seafarers and their decent working and living conditions are our state’s main priority. This is confirmed by joining the International Maritime Labour Convention, which came into force in February and represents the main guarantee of seafarers’ rights,” the Prime Minister declared.

President Kavelashvili: Maritime profession more valued due to consistent policy

“Due to consistent policy, the maritime profession is even more valued today. Through correct, effective and result-oriented steps, the sector has been strengthened and developed,” Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili stated at an event dedicated to International Maritime Day in Batumi.Kavelashvili congratulated Georgian seafarers on their professional day and wished them success.In his speech, the President emphasized Georgia’s unique geographical location and the country’s distinguished role in global shipping.“The maritime sector’s role is particularly important in fully utilizing Georgia’s transit potential. The state is working in multiple directions to ensure full utilization of existing potential. Against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts and confrontations in the world, Georgia has managed to maintain continuous peace and stability, making our country a reliable and trustworthy partner.Through the government’s careful and prudent policy, we have the opportunity to become part of the shortest and safest connecting route between Europe and Asia. To restore our historical role, which is known to every Georgian as the ‘Silk Road,'” Kavelashvili noted.The President noted that Georgia currently has more than 19,000 seafarers.

Gvaramia: Anyone who thinks elections are coming is making grave mistake. Oligarchy must fall

“Anyone who thinks elections are coming is making a grave mistake. It’s unfortunate, but we can no longer dwell on this issue any further,” stated Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the “Ahali” party, in a post published on his Facebook page. As Gvaramia notes, nothing remains – neither space, nor time, nor sense – when saving the homeland stands on the other side. “Hey, you headsman Jvebe , keep your ear to the ground and listen carefully: ‘It’s coming, revolution is coming.’Nothing – neither space, nor time, nor reason – remains when the salvation of the homeland stands on the other side.Amicus Plato…The oligarchy must fall,” stated Nika Gvaramia in a post.

Speaker calls on UK Embassy to respond with facts, not “vague assessments,” and end “anti-Georgian rhetoric”

“The UK Embassy should respond to facts with facts, not with vague assessments that are completely detached from reality. I call on everyone to stop the anti-Georgian rhetoric,” declared Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili.According to Papuashvili, the British ambassador violated the Vienna Convention by interfering in parliamentary elections through campaigning against Georgian Dream.“We speak Georgian, they speak English, and somehow we can’t understand each other. Yet we see the British ambassador is learning Georgian and should supposedly understand something of ours, but we say one thing and they answer something entirely else. I was speaking about very specific issues. I was talking about how the ambassador violated the Vienna Convention by interfering in parliamentary elections through campaigning against Georgian Dream. That’s accusation number one. Let them answer this – say they didn’t violate it and that his statement wasn’t interference. Instead, they say these are false accusations. Educated people don’t conduct such dialogue. The Georgian people have a higher opinion of Britain’s political elite. Therefore, first, the British ambassador violated the Vienna Convention when, ten days before the elections, he publicly engaged in electoral campaigning in the form of an interview against Georgian Dream. We seek clarity on whether, in their view, the Vienna Convention was violated, and if so, what their intended actions are.Second, the British Embassy attempted to finance individuals with extremist views, and we require an official response to this claim. We also discussed this at the meeting, that this is a false accusation, as if they intended to finance extremism,” Shalva Papuashvili declared.According to the Parliament Speaker, European values are no longer a measuring standard for some, which is a regrettable phenomenon.“So we’re not accused of having a Georgian understanding of extremism, I’ll give you the definition from the Oxford English Dictionary of what extremism means. Extremism means: Tendency to be extreme; esp. the holding of extreme political or religious views, or advocacy of illegal, violent, or other extreme measures.This is extremism, according to the Oxford Dictionary definition, not the Sulkhan-Saba Dictionary.Now, let’s examine quotes from yesterday’s statements: Tamar Chergoleishvili stated, “The right path is isolation and non-recognition of the regime; therefore, we are joining the election boycott.” Is this or is this not an expression of extreme political views? Is this or is this not support for extreme measures—boycotting and non-recognition of the political process? In other words, is this or is this not extremism? The answer is yes.Secondly, Gia Japaridze said yesterday, “Our task is to leave them,” referring, presumably, to the government, “in illegitimacy.” Is this or is this not an expression of extreme political views? Is this or is this not support for extreme measures? Of course, it is.Accordingly, this also constitutes extremism. The British Embassy attempted to finance Chergoleishvili and Japaridze. Therefore, the conclusion is that the British Embassy intended to fund individuals with extremist views. We ask you to provide an answer—are we correct in our reasoning or not? Is the Oxford English Dictionary’s definition accurate, or has there been a mistake—either by the dictionary, ourselves, or both? Please present a reasoned argument.Furthermore, the vague, threatening rhetoric about potential additional measures does not align with European values. However, since European values are no longer a universal standard for some, I would say this is a regrettable phenomenon,” declared Shalva Papuashvili.According to him, there are several facts regarding the British ambassador.“First, the British ambassador violated the Vienna Convention by interfering in the elections through campaigning activities. Second, the British Embassy breached the Strategic Partnership Agreement, including its preamble, which affirms respect for sovereignty. Interfering in elections is, unequivocally, a violation of sovereignty. Third, the British Embassy attempted to finance individuals who are known to promote extremism within Georgian politics. When discussing extremism, we must first recall the very figures I mentioned earlier.The British Embassy claimed that Chergoleishvili’s Tabula would cover the elections impartially. I also cited Gia Japaridze’s extremist statement. The British Embassy suggested that his NGO would serve as an impartial observer of the electoral process. These are very specific issues.Let them respond with facts, not vague assessments that are completely disconnected from reality. I call on everyone—this anti-Georgian rhetoric must finally come to an end,” declared Shalva Papuashvili.

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