By Manal Abdel Fattah
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin jointly met the press in Beijing.
Xi pointed out that Putin’s state visit to China is his first foreign visit since he began a new presidential term, which highlights the great importance that President Putin and the Russian side attach to relations. Xi also expressed his warm welcome to President Putin.
Xi said that he and Putin just concluded an honest and friendly meeting during which they discussed many topics.
The two presidents made a comprehensive review of the successful experience in developing Sino-Russian relations over the past 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, exchanged in-depth views on major international and regional relations and issues of common concern, and charted the path forward for Sino-Russian relations and cooperation in all fields. .
Xi added that he and Putin also signed and issued the joint statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation on deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between China and Russia in the new era on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and witnessed the signing of a number of important cooperation documents between the governments and agencies of the two countries, which Injects new and strong momentum into the sound development of China-Russia relations.
Xi stressed that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, noting that during the past three quarters of the current century, relations between the two sides have become stronger amidst fluctuations. Since entering the new era, relations have further improved, cooperation has been increasingly enriched, and lasting friendship has been more deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples. Relations between China and Russia have become a prime example of a new form of international relations as well as good-neighborly relations between two major countries. This significant progress in Chinese-Russian relations is due to the two countries’ commitment to five principles.
First, Xi said that China and Russia adhere to mutual respect as the basic principle of relations, and always support each other’s core interests. The two presidents agree that the key to the two countries finding a new path for growing relations between major and neighboring countries lies in mutual respect and equality, as well as firm mutual support on issues related to each other’s core interests and major concerns. This is fundamental to the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era.
Xi added that the two sides will continue to adhere to the principles of non-alliance, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of any third party, deepen political mutual trust, respect each other’s choice of development path, and achieve development and advancement with strong support for each other.
Secondly, Xi made it clear that China and Russia are committed to win-win cooperation as the driving force of relations, and are committed to working to promote a new pattern of mutual benefit. Last year, two-way trade exceeded US$240 billion, nearly 2.7 times what it was a decade ago. This is a good indication of the comprehensive, mutually beneficial cooperation that continues to deepen between the two countries. The two presidents agree that the two countries need to look for areas where their interests converge, take advantage of their relative strengths, deepen the complementarity of interests, and enable each other to succeed.
He said that the two countries need to make further structural improvements to their cooperation, consolidate the good momentum in trade and other traditional areas of cooperation, support the formation of basic research platforms and networks, continue to unleash the cooperation potential in border areas, intensify cooperation on ports, transportation and logistics, and help maintain Stability of global industrial and supply chains.
Third, Xi made it clear that China and Russia are committed to lasting friendship as the foundation of relations, and carry the torch of China-Russia friendship. Both China and Russia have a long history and fascinating culture. The works of Pushkin and Tolstoy are household names in China, and Peking Opera and Tai Chi are very beloved by Russian people. Focusing on implementing the roadmap for China-Russia cooperation in people-to-people and cultural exchanges before 2030, the two countries are working to expand people-to-people and cultural relations.
Xi noted that the two presidents chose the years 2024 and 2025 to be the years of culture between China and Russia, and proposed a series of cultural activities that are realistic, close to people’s hearts and very popular among them, and encouraged closer interactions between various sectors and sub-national levels in order to enhance mutual understanding and rapprochement between the two peoples. .
Fourth, Xi said that China and Russia are committed to strategic coordination as the foundation of relations, and guide global governance in the right direction. Both countries are strongly committed to protecting the international system centered around the United Nations and the international order based on international law. The two countries remain in close coordination and cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, APEC and G20, and advance multipolarity and economic globalization in the spirit of true multilateralism.
Xi added that with Russia assuming the presidency of the BRICS group this year and China assuming the presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization later this year, the two sides will support each other’s presidency, build a high-quality partnership that is more comprehensive, close, practical and broad-based, and build the unity and strength of the Global South.