Wang Yi: China to work with Russia to safeguard regional security, stability

China is ready to cooperate closely with Russia and other member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to jointly safeguard regional security, stability and development, and advance global governance toward a fairer and more reasonable direction, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the meeting of the SCO Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana.

Recalling Russian President Vladimir Putin's successful state visit to China, Wang said China is willing to work with Russia to focus on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and implement a series of new important consensuses reached by the two heads of state to push China-Russia relations to a new level.

Regarding the Taiwan question, Wang said no matter how the situation regarding the Taiwan island changes, it will not change the facts that Taiwan is part of China and the historical trend that China will eventually and inevitably be reunified.

Wang spoke highly of President Putin's position on the Taiwan issue, and he said he believes that Russia will continue to provide firm support for China on issues concerning China's core interests.

Under the current circumstances, a highly united SCO featuring win-win cooperation not only conforms to the common interests of all member states, but also conforms to the trend of a multi-polar world, he said.

For his part, Lavrov said Russia is willing to work with China to maintain exchanges at all levels and promote cooperation in all fields.

On the Taiwan question, Lavrov said Russia's stance is very clear and Russia supports China in achieving national reunification.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues of common concern, including the situation in the Middle East, the Ukraine crisis and the Korean Peninsula.