Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has told visiting Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popsoi that Beijing “cherishes” its relationship with Moldova and is willing to deepen bilateral ties, according to a statement released on Friday.

The remarks came during Popsoi’s meeting in Beijing on Thursday, part of the first visit by a Moldovan foreign minister to China in nearly eight years.

The discussions took place shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin completed a high-profile 24-hour visit to China for a summit with President Xi Jinping, where both sides pledged closer coordination and mutual support.

Ukraine War and Diplomatic Tensions

According to a Chinese foreign ministry readout, the two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis during the meeting.

China has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, instead maintaining that it supports a “political settlement” to the conflict, a position Wang reiterated during talks with Popsoi.

Moldova, which borders Ukraine, has strongly condemned the invasion and has taken a pro-European stance, seeking closer integration with the European Union by 2030.

Russian Influence

Tensions in Moldova remain closely linked to the breakaway region of Transnistria, a pro-Russian territory that split from Moldova during the collapse of the Soviet Union.

A Russian military presence of around 1,500 troops remains stationed in the region, which Moscow describes as peacekeepers. Chisinau, however, views the deployment as a mechanism of Russian influence over its sovereignty.

China–Moldova Relations

Wang said China “cherishes the traditional friendship” between the two countries and is ready to work with Moldova to strengthen mutual trust and expand cooperation, according to the statement.

(with inputs from Reuters)