Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s video address to the 9th international conference Russia and China: Cooperation in a New Era, May 30, 2024

Mr Gao Xiang,

Mr Ivanov,

Colleagues,

I am delighted to welcome the organisers of and participants in the 9th international conference Russia and China: Cooperation in a New Era.

Most recently, President Vladimir Putin paid a state visit to China, which definitely became the centerpiece of bilateral exchanges this year. It was only natural that the President of Russia would choose China as his first foreign destination after taking office. Today, we can say with confidence that the two leaders’ meeting in Beijing drew the widest response, and the whole world closely followed it.

The bond of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China has grown unprecedentedly strong thanks to the personal efforts of both heads of state. The Beijing summit sealed the two countries’ firm commitment to further deepen and expand it. This commitment was documented in the two leaders’ joint final statement. The leading role of Russia and China in building a fairer polycentric world order was also reaffirmed. The agreements reached during the meeting are certain to spur on bilateral cooperation across the board and fill it with new content.

This year, Russia and China celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. We mark this significant anniversary with achieving a new quality of relations – today, Russia and China view each other as priority partners and invariably adhere to the principles of mutually respectful, equal and trustful cooperation. We support each other with regard to key issues affecting the respective fundamental interests.

Practical cooperation between Russia and China continues to grow steadily despite the geopolitical turbulence. For more than a decade, China has confidently held the position of Russia’s leading trade partner. Last year, Russia rose to the 4th place among China’s foreign trade counterparties, which was a first. I would like to emphasise that the national currencies, the rouble and the yuan, now account for over 90 percent of all mutual trade transactions.

Strategic coordination in the international arena remains a key component of the Russian-Chinese partnership amid the growing international tensions. Our foreign policy tandem, held together by a broad commonality of interests as well as coinciding or similar approaches to key issues on the present-day agenda, plays a major stabilising role in global affairs. The two countries are strengthening cooperation on multilateral platforms, primarily the Unite Nations and the UN Security Council, as well as BRICS, the SCO, the G20, and APEC.

As our Chinese friends say, whoever follows the path of justice has many helpers. Moscow and Beijing are both working to consolidate the Global Majority. The number of countries that share our approaches is steadily growing, the recent expansion of BRICS a vivid manifestation of the trend. And this is not at all surprising. Unilateral sanctions, protectionist measures, pressure and blackmail have no place in our policies. Our countries are in favour of building a new architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia.

Friends,

The Russian-Chinese strategic tandem is gaining status, and this opens up new horizons for us in terms of stronger sovereignty, economic growth, and prosperity of both countries. “When people are of one mind and heart, they can move Mount Tai.”

The modern world is going through truly epoch-making tectonic shifts. These drastic changes naturally require deep reflection, a thorough and comprehensive analysis. The Russian and Chinese think tanks are called upon to play that role, with the dialogue between the Russian International Affairs Council and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences at the helm of the ongoing intensive cooperation in this area.

I have no doubt that the experts attending this conference today “know the world without even going out the door,” as the Chinese proverb goes. I am sure that you will have a rewarding time discussing ways to make bilateral cooperation even more effective in a relaxed and friendly manner.

Friends, finding ways to employ the potential of academic diplomacy to further promote the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership is no small task, but I have no doubt that you will accomplish it successfully.

I would like to wish you rewarding work and all the best.