CHINA’S top foreign policy official travelled to Russia today for security talks after two days of meetings with US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser over the weekend in Malta.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi will be in Russia until Thursday for a round of China-Russia strategic security consultations, the Foreign Ministry said in a brief statement.

The conflict in Ukraine was one of the key areas of discussion between Mr Wang and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

Both sides later described the talks as candid, substantive and constructive as they try to manage differences over security, trade, technology and human rights. 

Specifics of their talks were not released.

China has not taken sides in the Ukraine war, saying that while a country'’ territory must be respected, the US and its allies must also respect Russia’s security concerns about the eastwards expansion of Nato. 

China also put forward a pathway to end the conflict back in February and has since been engaged in shuttle diplomacy between Kiev and Moscow. 

As well as the respect for sovereignty the Chinese 12-point plan covered the need to abandon the cold war mentality, a ceasefire, a resumption of direct peace talks, resolving the humanitarian crisis, protecting civilians and prisoners of war, keeping nuclear power plants safe, reducing strategic risks and facilitating the export of grain across the globe.

The plan also called for the end of unilateral sanctions, maintaining the stability of industrial and supply chains and the promotion of post-conflict reconstruction.

However, the plans were given a frosty reception from Ukraine and the US.

Mr Wang stepped down as foreign minister at the end of last year, taking on the more senior position of Communist Party foreign affairs chief, but was called back as foreign minister alongside the party role in July.