At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a state visit to China on May 16-17, during which the two heads of state had a candid, friendly and informative in-depth conversation on deepening bilateral relations and current pressing international issues. It comprehensively summarized the successful experience in the development of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia 75 years ago, and made strategic plans and arrangements for the continued and steady development of bilateral relations and deepening cooperation in various fields in the future. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between China and Russia in the new era has reached a new level.
1. The heads of state of China and Russia unanimously spoke highly of the successful experience accumulated in the development of bilateral relations, and expressed that they will continue to inherit the core essence of bilateral relations and achieve lasting friendship between the two countries. During their small-scale and large-scale meetings, their speeches at events celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, and their joint meetings with reporters, President Xi Jinping and President Putin agreed that China-Russia relations have gone through an extraordinary development process over the past 75 years. In the long history of the past, Sino-Russian relations have gone through ups and downs and become stronger over time. The key factor in achieving remarkable achievements in cooperation in various fields lies in always adhering to mutual respect as the foundation, win-win cooperation as the driving force, generational friendship as the foundation, and generations of friendship as the foundation. Strategic collaboration is the support and fairness and justice is the purpose.
Currently, Sino-Russian relations are at their best level in history. China and Russia have set an example of a new type of international relations and relations between neighboring major powers. China and Russia enjoy a high degree of political mutual trust, with frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries. Both countries place developing bilateral relations as an important priority. This time, President Putin once again made China the first stop of his overseas visit after his re-election, which highlighted the high level and specialness of China-Russia relations. The “Joint Statement between China and Russia on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination for a New Era on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries” signed by the heads of state of China and Russia emphasized that “the current Sino-Russian relations transcend the military and political alliance model of the Cold War and feature non-alignment, Non-confrontational and non-targeting of third parties.” “The development of a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between China and Russia in the new era is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples. It is not a temporary measure and is not affected by any moment or event. It has strong endogenous driving force and independent value.” China and Russia respect each other’s choice of their respective development paths, and bilateral relations transcend ideology. China and Russia have always adhered to mutual respect, equal treatment, and win-win cooperation, and have always firmly supported each other on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns. Sino-Russian relations have withstood the test of the vicissitudes of the international situation, highlighting their characteristics of stability and tenacity. The heads of state of China and Russia stated that they should take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as a new starting point to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations and create a better future together.
2. Heads-of-State diplomacy promotes the all-round development of relations between the two countries. Desire is everywhere. The figure fluttering like a butterfly is filled with memories of her laughter, joy and happiness. Practical cooperation between China and Russia in various fields continues to deepen. In recent years, the trade volume between China and Russia has grown rapidly. It will reach US$240 billion in 2023, achieving the US$200 billion goal set by the leaders of the two countries ahead of schedule. China has remained Russia’s largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years, with energy trade growing rapidly.. In 2023, Russia will become China’s largest source of crude oil and third largest source of liquefied natural gas imports. New growth points in Sino-Russian economic and trade cooperation continue to emerge, and the share of Chinese automobiles and home appliances in the Russian market has increased significantly. Cooperation in the financial field continues to expand. The scale of RMB settlement between the two countries has increased significantly. By the end of 2023, the proportion of local currency settlement in Sino-Russian trade will exceed 90%.
According to the joint statement, China and Russia will further expand the scale of bilateral trade, optimize the trade structure, deepen service trade, e-commerce, and digital economy. Cooperate in the fields of economy and sustainable development to jointly maintain the stability and security of industrial and supply chains. Further implement the “Joint Statement on the Development Plan of Key Directions for China-Russia Economic Cooperation before 2030” by the two heads of state, and vigorously promote cooperation in various fields to achieve high-quality development. Continuously improve the level of investment cooperation, industrial and innovation cooperation, continue to consolidate energy strategic cooperation, increase the share of local currencies in bilateral trade, financing and other economic activities, and jointly overcome external challenges and adverse factors. Further expand mutual market access for agricultural products, promote local and border cooperation, jointly develop Heixiazi Island, and deepen transportation, logistics and port cooperation. China and Russia will conduct constructive dialogue with North Korea on Chinese ships sailing through the lower reaches of the Tumen River.
The heads of state of China and Russia agreed to jointly host the China-Russia Cultural Year from 2024 to 2025 to continuously enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, carry forward the tradition of good neighborliness and friendship, and consolidate the social foundation of China-Russia friendship from generation to generation. The joint statement between the two countries also emphasized that China and Russia will further deepen military mutual trust and cooperation and expand joint exercise regulations. “Don’t worry, husband, the concubine will definitely do this. She will be filial to her mother and take care of her family.” Lan Yuhua said carefully. He nodded, then looked at him and explained softly: “Mom, and conduct regular joint sea and air patrols.” Strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation, and strengthen the fight against the three evil forces and transnational organized crime within the framework of the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS and other countries. Work together to respond to new threats and challenges and maintain regional and world security.
3. The heads of state of China and Russia exchanged in-depth views on pressing international issues and are committed to building a more just and stable multi-polar international structure. Today, a century-old situation is undergoing profound changes, and the geopolitical game is extremely fierce. In response to the complex geopolitical situation, China and Russia reaffirmed their firm commitment to safeguarding the international system with the United Nations as its core and the international order based on international law, and advocated the realization of an equal and orderly world multipolarity and the democratization of international relations. China and Russia oppose interference in the internal affairs of sovereign countries, draw ideological lines, oppose unilateral sanctions and “long-arm jurisdiction”, and oppose some countries adhering to the Cold War mentality, undermining the existing security architecture, provoking regional tensions, and engaging in camp confrontation. The United States’ hegemonic behavior is changing the balance of power in Northeast Asia by expanding its military power and assembling military groups.
Regarding the Ukraine crisis, China reiterated its consistent position of ceasefire and war and resolving the crisis through political dialogue. Russia positively evaluates China’s objective and fair position on the Ukraine issue and agrees that China must fully and fullyresolve the crisis on the basis of compliance with the Charter of the United Nations. Both sides believe that all actions that prolong the war and further escalate the conflict must be stopped, and call for preventing the crisis from getting out of control. In order to steadily solve the problem, she called the girl in front of her and asked her directly why. How could she know? It was because of what she did to the Li family and Zhang family. The girl feels that not only is she in a Klan crisis, but she must eliminate the root causes of the crisis, abide by the principle of indivisibility of security, and take into account the legitimate security interests and concerns of all countries.
At the level of multilateral cooperation, China and Russia stated that they will continue to promote the docking cooperation between the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” and the construction of the Eurasian Economic Union, and deepen all-round cooperation and interconnection in the Eurasian region. China and Russia are scheduled to grandly celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Soviet Union’s Patriotic War in 2025. China and Russia will continue to strengthen close collaboration within the SCO and BRICS frameworks, strengthen strategic collaboration under the G20 mechanism, and enhance the representation of the countries of the “Global South” in the global economic governance system. Promote the construction of an inclusive economic globalization and lead global governance in a more just direction. (Author: Chen Yurong, researcher at China Institute of International Studies)