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Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting via video on June 28 ended with the two countries announcing the extension of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. It marks the strengthening of an ironclad strategic relationship between the two powers which heralds a vision for expanded cooperation that could define the 21st century and a unique partnership that marches forward when interests are shared and manages the differences.

The China-Russia partnership is one which is increasingly close across a number of fronts, including trade, technology, industry, military, energy, regional issues, infrastructure and even in outer space. And the two have been the target of U.S.-led Western aggression in recent years that have aimed at isolating and stigmatizing the two, intervening in their internal politics, attempting to contain their economic development and pitting other countries against them.

In no small parts the current strength in China and Russia relationship could be contributed to this shared experience. Beijing and Moscow firstly stand united on the protection of national sovereignty and concur that internal affairs and territorial integrity must be respected. And that no country has the right to impose their ideology upon them or fan the flame of separatism.

The Sino-Russian friendship is a bulwark against Western aggression, and promotes a vision that all states should be respected as sovereign equals, to pursue the development pathway most suited to their national needs and interests and that a small group of countries ultimately do not have the right to dictate the affairs of the rest of the world. The China-Russia partnership extends the hand of support to Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, so that multilateralism and fairness may prevail.

Over the years, China and Russia have achieved much by working together. They are deeply embedded partners on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which is rewriting the economic future and prospects of the Eurasian landmass, creating routes that span from Shanghai to Lisbon. They have been the bulwark against the anti-science and anti-intellectualism rising throughout the West. Both nations have been global pioneers in COVID-19 vaccines and have helped reaching out to the global south through both supply and donations. China and Russia oppose global vaccine inequality and urge the rest of the international community to work together to help restore normality in this world.

And the two countries have shared their goals for pursuing causes that benefit all humans. They've recently produced a roadmap towards construction of a lunar base by the year 2036, a revolutionary achievement which will transform the way the moon is utilized forever. The two countries are likewise working together on expanding access to energy, on joint aviation projects to challenge the monopoly of Boeing, on communications and digital infrastructure and more. The two countries have the will to drive the world's digital future in the view to common development and connectivity, and oppose the politicization of this sphere by other countries.

In every dynamics the two countries seek an ever closer and ever more consolidated friendship. This is a vision for the 21st century, one which is led by multilateralism, sovereignty and fair treatment for every nation. Vested in a common resolve for progress and sovereignty, this is a partnership which is not targeted at any one country or aiming to change the global order, but to empower and win the future.

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