Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing and jointly issued a statement expressing their opposition to what they perceive as "acts of military intimidation" by the United States and its allies against North Korea. The leaders emphasized their concern that such actions could lead to increased tensions and armed incidents on the Korean Peninsula. They specifically criticized the joint military exercises conducted by the US with South Korea and Japan, which North Korea has also condemned as heightening military tensions in the region. Additionally, the statement accused the US of attempting to change the balance of power in Northeast Asia and negatively impacting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region through its military strategies and alliances. During the bilateral summit, Putin and Xi emphasized their opposition to the US and its allies' military actions against North Korea, expressing concern that such actions could lead to increased tensions and armed incidents on the Korean Peninsula. They particularly criticized the joint military exercises conducted by the US with South Korea and Japan, which North Korea has also condemned as heightening military tensions in the region. Moreover, the leaders accused the US of attempting to alter the balance of power in Northeast Asia and negatively impacting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region through its military strategies and alliances, such as the Indo-Pacific strategy and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's policies.