China Stands by Russia Amid Mercenary Rebellion Turmoil

China has expressed support for Russia's efforts to stabilize the country after a failed rebellion by private mercenary army Wagner Group. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang to discuss "international and regional issues of common concern." China and Russia have maintained close ties despite Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which China has refused to condemn. Rudenko's visit to China came just a day after Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin ordered his troops to march on Moscow in the greatest challenge to Putin's more than two decades in power.