Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi defended Beijing's position on the war in Ukraine on December 25 and signaled that China would deepen ties with Russia in the coming year. China has pushed back against Western pressure on trade, technology, and human rights. Its refusal to condemn the invasion of Ukraine and join others in imposing sanctions on Russia has further frayed ties. Even as China has found common ground with Russia, its economic future remains tied to American and European markets and technology. To read the original story by AP, click here.