Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Moscow, April 5, 2018

Mr Minister,

Friends,

First of all, I would like to congratulate you, Mr Wang Yi, on your appointment as State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China.

For three decades, Russian-Chinese relations have been characterised by unprecedented activity. Multifaceted partnership and strategic cooperation with China are Russia’s priorities in foreign policy. I believe that Russian-Chinese cooperation, as our leaders have noted many times, can serve as an example of how relations between major powers should be. Let me also say that partnership between Russia and China is one of the main stabilising factors in global affairs.

Last year was characterised by the strengthening of the entire range of our ties. We have achieved breakthroughs in practical cooperation following the five meetings between the heads of state. Regular meetings between the prime ministers also play a vital role in the implementation of our tasks. Effective cooperation between the two countries’ parliaments and other government agencies is also important.

Our relations are global and strategic. Moscow and Beijing set an example with their balanced and responsible approach to resolving current international issues and effectively work together in various multilateral formats, primarily in the UN, but also in the SCO, BRICS, G20, APEC, East Asia Summits and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia as well as at other venues.

I am very happy to see you, Mr Minister, and I hope we will have a productive dialogue.