Question: Chinese President Xi Jinping recently paid an official visit to Russia. What was the efficiency of the Russian-Chinese negotiations in the end?
S.V. Lavrov: The state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Russia on March 20-22 this year, which became his first foreign trip after his re–election as head of state, is an important milestone in the modern history of Russian-Chinese relations, evidence of the unprecedented level and special nature of bilateral cooperation.
In various formats, including a one-on-one dinner and a tea party by the fireplace, the leaders of Russia and China talked for a total of about 10 hours. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of such personal contacts in promoting the entire range of bilateral ties. As Russian President Vladimir Putin noted, the exchange of views took place “in a warm, friendly and constructive atmosphere.” In turn, the Chinese President described his communication with the Russian President as “frank, friendly and productive.”
During the negotiations with the participation of delegations, the results of the comprehensive development of Russian-Chinese relations over the past period were summed up, an inventory of topical issues of cooperation in various fields was carried out. Xi Jinping also had a productive meeting with Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin, at which the main directions of increasing practical cooperation were discussed.
The main results of the summit are recorded in two important documents – a Joint Statement on Deepening Comprehensive Partnership and Strategic Cooperation Entering a new Era and a Joint Statement on the Development Plan for Key Areas of Russian-Chinese Economic Cooperation until 2030.
The Heads of State stated the importance of continuing close foreign policy coordination. We see the causes of the main challenges in the field of international security in a similar way. We note the unwillingness of the West to conduct an interstate dialogue on the principles of equality. We oppose the use of methods of sanctions pressure and other instruments of unfair competition. At the same time, our strategic cooperation is not directed against third countries. It contributes to the balanced development of the entire international system.
The Chinese side confirmed a balanced position on the Ukrainian problem. We welcome Beijing’s readiness to play a constructive role in the political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict. We note that our approaches are in harmony with the main provisions of the position paper on the situation in Ukraine published by Chinese partners, especially regarding the need to ensure equal and indivisible security for all countries in Europe and in the world as a whole. In the meantime, the peace process is being slowed down by Kiev and its Western curators, who are making every effort to delay the fighting.
The visit of the leader of the People’s Republic of China had a wide international resonance, literally dominated the global information agenda. This confirms that the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership has long gone beyond the exclusively bilateral context. It is obvious that our clearly formulated common positions on the key problems of our time in the world have been heard.
Question: On the eve of Xi Jinping ‘s visit to Russia , Chinese Ambassador to Moscow Zhang Hanhui said: “China will continue to build back-to-back strategic cooperation with Russia.” Do you feel the “back” of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang?
Continuation of the news: https://mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/1861490/
