Wang Yi: China and Russia have created a new paradigm of major-country relations that is completely different from the old Cold War era | Diplomacy-themed press conference

This morning (March 7), the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress held a press conference. Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, answered questions from Chinese and foreign reporters on issues related to “China’s foreign policy and external relations.”

A reporter asked that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China. Over the years, bilateral relations have reached an unprecedented level of development. In your opinion, under the current conditions of global transformation in international relations, how can the potential of Russia-China cooperation be most effectively explored?

Wang Yi said that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has maintained a high level of operation. Political mutual trust between the two sides continues to deepen, mutually beneficial cooperation complements each other’s advantages, and people-to-people exchanges are enthusiastic. Last year, the trade volume between the two sides reached a record high of 240 billion U.S. dollars, achieving the goal of 200 billion U.S. dollars ahead of schedule. Russian natural gas has entered thousands of households in China, and Chinese cars are driving in the streets of Russia, which fully demonstrates the strong resilience and broad prospects of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Maintaining and developing China-Russia relations is a strategic choice made by both sides based on the fundamental interests of the two peoples. It is also an inevitable requirement in line with the general trend of world development. As major powers in the world and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and Russia have created a new paradigm of major power relations that is completely different from the old Cold War era. On the basis of non-alignment, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of third parties, China and Russia adhere to permanent good-neighborliness and friendship. Deepen comprehensive strategic collaboration. In today’s world, hegemony is unpopular, division has no future, major powers should not confront each other, and the Cold War cannot be repeated. Sino-Russian relations conform to the trend of the times of world multipolarity and democratization of international relations, and are of great value to maintaining global strategic stability, promoting healthy interaction between major powers, and promoting cooperation among emerging major powers.