Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Vyacheslav Volodin, Speaker of the Russian State Duma, in Beijing on Tuesday. Volodin mentioned that he would discuss ways to counter pressures related to sanctions and foreign interference during his talks in Beijing this week. The United States is making efforts to force China to stop importing Russian oil. China rejected Washington’s request to halt Russian oil purchases, responding to US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on oil and energy imports from Russia. The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement affirming that it has no intention to reconsider its energy policy due to external pressures. It stated, “No pressure can prevent us from meeting our country’s energy needs.” It also emphasized that China will always ensure its energy needs are met based on national interests and that intimidation and pressure will not succeed.

China confirmed it will continue to firmly defend its sovereignty, security, and interests.