China, Russia voice agreement on international affairs

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) meets his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on May 26, 2017. [Photo: CGTN]

With highly compatible interests, China and Russia will see their relations grow even stronger regardless of changing global dynamics, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Moscow on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference following a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, Wang said China cherishes its mature and stable relations with Russia, illustrated through the China-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination, a more advanced form of bilateral relations between the two countries.

The visiting Chinese foreign minister expressed confidence in the prospects of the bilateral cooperation, saying concerted efforts have been made to align the development strategies of the two countries and to further cooperate in the fields of energy, aerospace and connectivity.

The two sides are also consulting on the Economic Partnership Agreement, and are getting ready for a feasibility study on building a Eurasian Economic Partnership, Wang added.

Recalling the success of the Belt and Road Forum held earlier this month in Beijing, Wang said that China regards Russia as an important partner in the initiative, and believes China-Russia cooperation in this regard will promote development of both countries and contribute to the peace and prosperity of the entire Eurasian region. 

According to Wang, Beijing and Moscow are sparing no efforts to facilitate the paring of their countries development strategies, including the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union.

During the meeting, Lavrov also spoke highly of Russia-China relations, which in his opinion have reached an unprecedented high level on the basis of mutual trust and respect.

The Russian foreign minister said that Moscow is ready to work closely with Beijing on the preparation for a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Russia later this year, during which the two heads of state are expected to discuss in depth the paring of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Lavrov said Russia and China will continue to coordinate within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the BRICS, among others, and jointly serve as a stabilizer in tackling major global issues, he said.

The two ministers also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula, Syria, Afghanistan and other issues on the international and regional agenda. 

After the meeting, Lavrov and Wang jointly signed the 2017 consultation plan between foreign ministries of the two countries.