Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told visiting Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popsoi that Beijing cherishes ties with Moldova and aims to deepen them, despite differences over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Popsoi's meeting came right after Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China for a summit with President Xi Jinping, where they agreed to boost coordination.
Beijing has not condemned Russia's attacks on Ukraine as an invasion but calls for a political settlement. Wang reiterated this stance in his meeting with Popsoi.
Moldova, which borders Ukraine, strongly condemns Russia's invasion and has tensions over the pro-Russian Transdniestria region, where Russian troops are stationed.
This is the first visit by a Moldovan foreign minister to China in nearly eight years. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis.
