China and Russia vow to safeguard world peace

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‍China and Russia vowed to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining world peace during talks between the foreign ministers of the two countries in Beijing on Monday.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is on an official visit to China until Tuesday and will also attend the foreign ministers’ meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

China-Russia cooperation

During a press conference after their meeting, Wang and Lavrov announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China in June when the SCO summit will also take place in Qingdao City.

The two countries signed agreements on a consultation mechanism between the foreign ministries. A series of vice foreign ministerial meetings will happen this year under this mechanism.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Beijing, April 23, 2018. /CGTN Photo

China and Russia reached a bilateral trade volume of 23 billion US dollars in the first quarter of this year, a 30 percent increase year-on-year.

Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative also achieved remarkable results. Over 200 cooperation programs will happen at local levels this year.

China and Russia cooperation continues its strong momentum, from energy and high technology to small and medium-sized enterprises. Both countries will continue to strengthen and upgrade cooperation in all areas.

The two countries also vow to keep discussing major international and local issues, firmly obey the UN charter and maintain the peace of the Earth Village.

'Improper' moves by US, allies to settle crisis

Lavrov said while the Syrian army achieved advantages in fighting terrorists, and the Sochi dialogue on Syria achieved important results, the US, UK and France launched airstrikes on Syria before discovering the results of the chemical weapon experts’ investigation.

Lavrov said the Douma chemical attack was staged and was used as an excuse for military attacks.

Lavrov said the efforts of Russia, Iran and Turkey were damaged and made the situation in Syria even more tense. "But we believe our efforts are not in vain," he added.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi sign after their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, China, April 23, 2018. /Reuters Photo

"We think the US and its allies’ moves are totally illegal and totally improper to settle the crisis," Lavrov said.

Lavrov said Russia would make sure the chemical weapon experts go to the places that were allegedly attacked with chemical weapons and visit the schools, labs and areas that the Syrian army liberated, as well as finish the investigation and get practical results.

Wang said China supports parties in getting UN Security Council Resolution No. 2254 for a political settlement to resolve the Syrian issue.

China has always opposed the use of weapons in such situations. Military action should have Security Council’s accreditation -a rule any country, big or small, should obey, Wang added.

'Political solution' on the Korean Peninsula

Regarding the positive development on the Korean Peninsula, Wang appraised the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korean (DPRK)’s suspension of nuclear and missile tests.

He also said the DPRK’s decisions to focus on economic development is appropriate for the time, calling the two decisions “exciting”, adding that China would not allow anything to derail the positive changes.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during his news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, China, April 23, 2018. /Reuters Photo

China hopes meetings between the DRRK and Republic of Korea (ROK) leaders, as well as the US and DPRK leaders, will achieve success. China expects continuous good news from the peninsula, Wang said.

China and Russia have contributed a lot towards peace on the peninsula and will keep pushing the political solution of the issue forward, according to Wang.

Iran: China-Russia to maintain nuclear deal

About Iran nuclear issue, Lavrov said UN Security Council Resolution 2231 clauses shouldn’t be amended.

He said "some country" is trying to ruin the consensus reached by six countries on the Iran issue and China and Russia would work together to maintain these results.