Xi: China, Russia to deepen cooperation

He also calls for two sides to collaborate on upholding world peace and stability

China and Russia should work together to play a pivotal role in safeguarding international fairness and justice, upholding global peace and stability and promoting common development and prosperity, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a congratulatory letter delivered to the ninth meeting of the dialogue mechanism between the ruling parties of China and Russia, which was held via video link.

Xi said that today's world has entered a period of turbulence and transformation due to the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as profound changes to the international landscape not seen in a century.

China and Russia are important players with global influence in the world, and they should intensify comprehensive strategic coordination in the new era, he added.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia. It is also the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the relationship between the CPC and the United Russia party.

Xi said that over the two decades, the two countries have carried forward the philosophy of building friendship and the principle of promoting the new type of international relations, and have developed close comprehensive strategic coordination. They have set a model for major-country relationships, he said.

The long-term institutionalized exchanges between the two parties have enhanced political and strategic mutual trust between the two neighbors and promoted their all-around, mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi added.

He expressed hope that the meeting participants could strengthen exchanges, build up consensus to open up new prospects for the parties' strategic cooperation and contribute the two parties' wisdom and strength to deepening the bilateral ties, advancing the building of a more just and equitable international order as well as building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a congratulatory letter to the meeting, saying the two parties' dialogue has been an important part of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.

Despite the pandemic, the two parties have maintained all-around exchanges, Putin said, adding that the constructive and fruitful meeting will further consolidate friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries and two peoples.

The two ruling parties reached a consensus that they will support the two countries in upholding the international system with the United Nations at the core and the international order underpinned by international law and in working with the international community to practice the multilateral principle characterized by openness and equality and not based on ideology.

They are also firmly opposed to some countries' attempts and moves to use democracy and human rights as an excuse to interfere with a sovereign country's domestic affairs, impose unilateral sanctions, exercise hegemony or practice bullying and create turmoil and chaos, according to a statement released after the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Song Tao, minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, said China stands ready to work with Russia to support each other on the issues related to their own core interests, resolutely oppose external interference and uphold multilateralism.

Boris Gryzlov, chairman of United Russia's Supreme Council, said Russia's ruling party is willing to work with the CPC to implement the consensuses between the two heads of state, and help the two countries strengthen strategic mutual trust, enhance bilateral cooperation, jointly oppose external interference and safeguard international fairness and justice.