Dear Mr Gao Xiang,
Dear Igor Sergeyevich,
Colleagues,
I am pleased to welcome the organisers and participants of the 9th International Conference ‘Russia and China: Cooperation in a New Era’.
President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to the People’s Republic of China, which became the main event of the year in bilateral relations, has recently taken place. The choice by the Russian head of state of China for his first foreign trip after assuming office is logical. Today we can confidently state that the meeting of our leaders in Beijing caused the widest resonance and was closely followed by the whole world.
Contemporary Russian-Chinese relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic co-operation have reached an unprecedentedly high level thanks to the personal efforts of the Heads of State. The Beijing summit consolidated a firm commitment to their further deepening. This was recorded in the leaders’ final Joint Statement. The leading role of Russia and China in shaping a more equitable polycentric world order has been confirmed. There is no doubt that the agreements reached will give a powerful impetus to bilateral co-operation in all spheres and fill it with new content.
This year Russia and China celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. We have approached this significant date with a new quality of ties – we regard each other as priority partners, we invariably adhere to the principles of mutually respectful, equal and trusting co-operation. We support each other on key issues affecting the fundamental interests of the parties.
Practical cooperation continues to develop steadily, despite the turbulent geopolitical situation. China has been our leading trade partner for more than 10 years. Last year, for the first time, Russia moved up to number 4 on the list of China’s foreign trade partners. I would like to emphasise that more than 90 per cent of all mutual trade settlements are made in roubles and yuan.
In the conditions of international tension, strategic coordination in the international arena remains one of the most important elements of the Russian-Chinese partnership. Our foreign policy nexus, based on a broad commonality of interests, coincidence or proximity of approaches on key contemporary issues, is a stabilising factor in world affairs. Interaction within the framework of multilateral organisations and forums, primarily in the UN and its Security Council, within the BRICS and SCO, the G20 and APEC, is becoming stronger.
As Chinese friends say, ‘whoever follows the path of justice has many helpers’. Moscow and Beijing are actively working to consolidate the World Majority. Our circle of like-minded people is steadily growing. The recent expansion of BRICS is a vivid example of this. And this is not surprising. After all, our countries do not accept unilateral sanctions, protectionist measures, pressure and blackmail. They advocate the formation of a new security architecture in Eurasia based on the principles of equality and indivisibility.
Dear friends,
The strengthening Russian-Chinese strategic tandem opens new horizons for us in ensuring sovereignty, raising the level of national development and the well-being of the peoples of our countries. ‘When we are united, we can move Mount Taishan.’
The modern world is experiencing truly epochal, tectonic shifts. These cardinal changes undoubtedly require deep understanding, complex and comprehensive analyses. In this regard, intensive interaction between the think tanks of Russia and China is especially needed now. The dialogue between the Russian International Affairs Council and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences plays a leading role in this area.
I have no doubt that the experts gathered at the conference will, in accordance with the Chinese saying ‘know about all the affairs in the Celestial Empire without going out of the gate’, discuss today in an informal, friendly manner the prospects for further enhancing the effectiveness of cooperation between our countries.
You, friends, have a very important task before you – to use the potential of scientific diplomacy in the interests of further promoting the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership. I have no doubt that you will successfully cope with it.
Have interesting discussions, fruitful work and all the best.
