China, Russia seek 'independence' from the West

World
Europe

‍China hails close ties with Russia, their bilateral relationship has seen a continuous, steady and sound development at a high level, and is at its best in history in terms of mutual trust, coordination and strategic values, said Chinese President Xi Jinping during his meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow on June 6.

China and Russia agreed to upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era on June 5. According to President Xi, the decision will enhance all-round cooperation and deepen the convergence of the two countries' interests.

Russia and China have no choice but to come together to make their economies more independent from the West, as both are in an economic war with the U.S.

"The U.S. and its allies are using trade issues for political reasons," Alexander Lukin, a professor of international relations in Moscow said, noting the U.S. has put sanctions on Russia since 2014 and started a trade war against China last year.

His remarks came during Chinese President Xi Jinping's three-day state visit to Russia this week, which coincided with the 23rd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

On Wednesday, President Xi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to upgrade bilateral relations as the two neighboring countries celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties.

When meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday, Xi hailed the China-Russia relationship at its best in history in terms of mutual trust, coordination, and strategic values.

Lukin said such closer relations show a "very fundamental base," arguing that Washington's "hostile policies against Russia and China accelerate this process."

This process is believed to be "the call of history," and "a firm strategic choice" by both sides, as Xi noted that the world today is becoming increasingly uncertain and unstable.

Chinese and Russian leadership agreed that higher-level bilateral ties could better benefit the peoples of the two countries as well as the world.

A good world is a multi-polar world where there are diverse cultures, civilizations, and ways of thinking, Lukin said, dismissing the polar-world idea shared among Washington elites. "Russia and China are working against that (polar-) world."

The two countries also insist on the principle of three "nos" in international affairs – no alliance, no confrontation and no aim at a third party, said Cui Hongjian, director of the European Department at the China Institute of International Studies.

"It would be Chinese traditional foreign policy to keep independent," Cui said. "Even China and Russia are now closest friends and partners, they don't try to make use of these relations to fight against any third parties, including the U.S."