By Zhao Jiaming, People’s Daily
On June 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing for a state visit to Russia and the 23rd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
It is the first time that President Xi pays a state visit to Russia since he was re-elected as Chinese President in 2018.
Xi’s state visit is of historic significance as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. It will promote bilateral relations to achieve greater development and embark on a new voyage under the new situation.
The two heads of state have guided bilateral relations toward a higher level of development. They have written multiple new chapters for exchanges between heads of state of China and Russia on bilateral and multilateral occasions since 2013.
President Xi regards President Putin as his “best and bosom friend”, and President Putin sees President Xi as a “very reliable partner”.
Such close connection and personal friendship are unprecedented in any relations between major countries. It shows that China and Russia have attached great importance to developing comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination. Bilateral relations will be led for sustainable, healthy and stable development to enter the best period of history.
Mutual interest could be achieved through honoring a common principle, and a common goal could be achieved through gathering wisdom and strength with one mind.
Chinese people are striving to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, and Russian people are also working hard to achieve national revitalization.
This April, President Putin came to China to attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the invitation of President Xi.
The relationship between China and Russia has become a major-country relationship featuring the highest degree of mutual trust, the highest level of coordination and the highest strategic value, Xi told Putin as the two held talks on the sidelines of the forum.
In an interview with Chinese media last year, Putin compared China-Russia relations as a great building. He said that “for each year, the great building has been renewing itself with new floors added and structure continuously strengthened.”
Over the recent years, China and Russia have enjoyed closer practical cooperation and fruitful outcomes delivered from people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
In 2018, China-Russia trade volume exceeded $100 billion. Strategic projects in the area of energy, aerospace, and internet connectivity have been advanced in solid steps. Bilateral cooperation in agriculture, finance, science and technology, e-commerce and other emerging industries has marched forward at a fast pace.
Apart from jointly hosting events, China and Russia have strengthened cooperation on people-to-people and cultural exchanges and expanded personnel exchanges, setting an example for dialogue among civilizations.
The deepening of China-Russia strategic coordination is not a choice of expediency, nor will it be changed by external factors. It is a strategic choice based on the fundamental interests of the two peoples and a responsibility endowed by the times.
China and Russia will resolutely uphold the international system centered on the United Nations and the international order underpinned by international law. They will firmly safeguard the world peace and stability as well as international justice, and unequivocally champion unilateralism and an open world economy.
The new type of international relations featuring non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party established between China and Russia has set an example for neighboring countries and major countries to co-exist in harmony and achieve win-win cooperation.
In their coordination on international affairs, China and Russia have well explained peace and development with concrete actions, and protected the peace, security and development of the region and the world, serving as ballast stones and stabilizers in the fast-changing international landscape.
As Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, “When China and Russia stand together, the world will be a safer and more peaceful and stable place.”
China-Russia relations have confronted stormy weather to forge ahead over the past seventy years, and Xi’s visit to Russia this time comes at an important historic point when China and Russia celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
The two heads of state will comprehensively review China-Russia relations over the past seven decades and jointly map out a blue print of future development to push forward and elevate bilateral relations, and make greater contributions to the development and revitalization of the two countries as well as the world peace and stability.
