Chinese FM: China, Russia set new model for major-country relations

China and Russia have forged a new paradigm of major-country relations that differs entirely from the obsolete Cold War approach, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing on Thursday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that on the basis of non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party, China and Russia strive for lasting good-neighborliness and friendship and seek to deepen their comprehensive strategic coordination.

In 2023, the bilateral trade reached a record $240 billion, meeting the target of $200 billion ahead of schedule, Wang said.

Noting Russian natural gas is fueling numerous Chinese households and Chinese-made automobiles are running on Russian roads, Wang said that all this shows the strong resilience and broad prospects of China-Russia mutually beneficial cooperation.

"Maintaining and growing the China-Russia relationship is a strategic choice by the two sides based on the fundamental interests of the two peoples. It is also what we must do to keep pace with the trend of the world," Wang said.

In today's world, hegemonism finds no support, and division leads nowhere, he said, adding that major countries should not seek confrontation, and the Cold War should not be allowed to come back.

Noting China-Russia relations conform to the trend of the times towards a multi-polar world and greater democracy in international relations, Wang said the bilateral relations have great value in maintaining global strategic stability, promoting sound interactions between major countries and advancing cooperation between emerging powers.

The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia.

Wang said China and Russia will jointly hold the China-Russia Years of Culture, presenting new opportunities for the development of bilateral relations.

China is ready to work with Russia to further foster new growth drivers for cooperation and consolidate the foundation of friendship between the two peoples, he added.

Noting Russia will assume the rotating presidency of BRICS this year and China will take over the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the second half of this year, Wang said the two sides will strengthen international multilateral coordination, practice multilateralism, safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, and safeguard regional and global security and stability.