President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a document signing ceremony in Moscow. Alexander Nemenov / AFP

President Xi makes his first overseas speech on policies in Moscow. Sergei Karpukhin / Reuters

President says strong bilateral ties guarantee international strategic balance and peace

China's development creates opportunities instead of threats, President Xi Jinping said on Saturday. In his first overseas policy speech in Moscow, Xi presented Beijing's view on current international situations, explained its foreign policies and how it views relations with Russia.

The speech came a day after Xi met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and witnessed the signing of a raft of energy and other agreements on his first trip abroad since becoming president.

Addressing a packed crowd of students at the renowned Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Xi said the interests of international communities from different parts of the world are becoming increasingly intertwined, and cooperation and development are the main trends in the new era.

The confrontations in the Cold War period no longer exist.

"To be in step with changing times you cannot have your body in the 21st century and your head back in the past," he said, adding that the old mentalities from the Cold War era and zero-sum games should be discarded.

"It will be impossible for any single country or country bloc to dominate international affairs," as emerging economies and developing countries enter the speedway of development, and several growth hubs are taking shape around the world, he said.

Xi also warned against foreign interference in domestic politics.

"We must respect the right of each country to independently choose its path of development, and we oppose interference in the affairs of sovereignty in other countries."

China strongly feels a country's internal issues of sovereignty should be addressed by its own government and people, while international affairs can only be solved through negotiation among governments and peoples.

"This is the democratic rule of dealing with international affairs, and the international community should follow it.

"If you want to know if the shoes fit, you should try them first," he said, raising a ripple of laughter among his audience.

During the speech, Xi also quoted well-known stories in Russian literatures to illustrate sound bilateral ties, stressing that China and Russia both accord each other priority in diplomacy and view each other's development as opportunities.

"Strong Sino-Russian relations are not only to our own interests, but serve as an important, reliable guarantee of international strategic balance and peace," he said.

Xi's decision to talk to Russian college students underscores Beijing's determination to enhance mutual understanding between the youths in both countries, as they will be future players in bilateral relations, said Ji Zhiye, vice-president of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.

Feng Yujun, head of Russian studies at the institutes, said Xi's speech maps out a blueprint for the development of Sino-Russian ties at a time when both countries are experiencing a critical stage of national revival.

"The two countries have been very clear that their revival dream and development can serve as each other's opportunities. With such consensus, China and Russia will definitely keep strengthening strategic and economic coordination," Feng said.

Xi was also invited to Russia's defense headquarters, a first for a top Chinese leader. Experts said the move shows the deep trust China and Russia share, and a strong potential for future military cooperation.

In Moscow, Xi also held talks with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

After Russia, the president will fly to Africa for visits to Tanzania, South Africa and the Republic of Congo. In South Africa, he will attend the fifth BRICS summit, the first on the African continent. Leaders of the BRICS countries will also meet African leaders in a joint retreat.

Contact the writers at wujiao@chinadaily.com.cn, zhaoshengnan@chinadaily.com.cn and qinzhongwei@chinadaily.com.cn.

(China Daily 03/24/2013 page1)