On Tuesday, China and Russia hailed their close and stable bilateral relationship amid the COVID-19 outbreak and agreed to enhance cooperation and coordination to overcome the turbulent situation worldwide.

In a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi hailed the high-level of mutual trust and profound friendship between the two countries as they helped and supported each other through their anti-pandemic efforts, maintaining a high level of cooperation. 

China and Russia have common ground on many issues, noted Wang, calling on the two sides to jointly uphold multilateralism, safeguard global and regional security and stability, and play a leading role in international anti-epidemic cooperation while fighting firmly against "political viruses."

Next year will be significant to China and Russia, said Wang, as China will achieve its first centenary goal of completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and Russia will push forward the implementation of national development goals by 2030.

Besides, 2021 will mark the 20th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. The Chinese foreign minister said that China is willing to work with Russia to prepare for the next stage of exchanges between the two countries at all levels and make good plans for cooperation in various fields.

Lavrov, for his part, spoke highly of the progress made in bilateral relations this year. He praised the close cooperation and exchanges between the two sides despite the COVID-19 outbreak.

Russia is satisfied with the two countries' cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, said the Russian foreign minister, hoping the two countries will continue strengthening strategic coordination, jointly hold celebration activities of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, and open up the future of bilateral relations.

The two sides agreed to safeguard international law, maintain the common interests of the two countries, and safeguard international stability and cooperation while firmly oppose unilateralism boasted by the U.S., which severely undermines multilateralism and merely spreads chaos in the world.