SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday described China as Russia’s ally and threw his weight behind Beijing’s claims over Taiwan, while stating that no countries had anything to fear from deepening Sino-Russian cooperation.

The two countries have not declared a formal military alliance, but Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a “no limits” partnership deal in 2022, less than three weeks before Putin sent his troops into Ukraine.

In May this year they agreed to deepen what they called their “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation” for a new era.

“We do not believe that China is pursuing an aggressive policy in the region,” Putin said at the Valdai discussion club in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.

He suggested that Taiwan was trying to stir up a Ukraine-style crisis in Asia in order to attract outside support.

China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and regularly conducts wargames near the island.

“A lot is going on around Taiwan. Everyone formally acknowledges, yes, Taiwan is part of China. But in reality? In reality, it is acting in a completely different direction. Provoking the situation towards escalation,” Putin said.

“We do support China. And because of this, we believe that (China) is conducting a completely reasonable policy. And also because it is our ally. We have a very large trade turnover, we cooperate in the security sector.”

Putin compared bilateral military drills between Russia and China with those the United States conducts with Japan.

“These exercises do not threaten anyone,” Putin said. “They are aimed at ensuring our security.”

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin, Gleb Stolyarov, Moscow bureau; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)