Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Moscow at the beginning of April, with his main agenda being the preparation of President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit in May for the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany.
Meeting with Wang on April 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Russia and China to consistently enhance their strategic cooperation amid global turbulence. Marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War, Putin extended an invitation for Chinese representatives to attend commemorative events in Russia. He emphasised the shared historical significance of celebrating victories over Nazi fascism and Japanese militarism, stating that Russia is fully making preparations for the occasion and added that this milestone should propel Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and strengthen multilateral collaboration within frameworks such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and the BRICS + mechanism.
Responding, Wang Yi recalled that over 80 years ago, the peoples of China and the Soviet Union fought tenaciously on the Asian and European fronts, sacrificing immensely to defeat Japanese militarism and Nazi fascism, thereby contributing decisively to global peace. Today, as pivotal stabilising forces in a turbulent world, China and Russia must jointly uphold the outcomes of World War II, defend the post-war international order, and reinforce the United Nations’ central role in the global system. Both countries, he added, are committed to advancing multilateralism and democratising international relations.
He further said that the two countries have aligned their plans to support each other’s 80th-anniversary commemorative events, expressing confidence that the leaders’ engagements this year will further promote bilateral ties.
The official website of the Russian President published extracts from the two men’s opening remarks.
President Putin said: “I am aware that you have an extensive and busy programme for your visit. First of all, it is connected with preparations for the visit of the President of the People’s Republic of China to Russia. We will prepare a good and fulfilling programme. I hope it will involve not only participation in solemn events but will also be a separate visit. The President of the People’s Republic of China will be our main guest, and we will have an opportunity to discuss the current state of bilateral relations and our interaction on international venues, primarily the UN – the UN Security Council – as well as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS and a number of other platforms where we work together with great success.” [A number of analysts have suggested that Putin’s reference to Xi as being the “main guest” means either that the speculation that US President Donald Trump might also visit Moscow at this time is without foundation or that the US President would be accorded a lower protocol status than his Chinese counterpart.]
Wang Yi responded: “You have accurately noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of Great Victory in the war against Nazism and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. Eighty years ago, the Chinese and Soviet people fought bravely in Europe and Asia, on the main front, suffered heavy national losses, and defeated militaristic Japan and Nazi Germany, thus making a major contribution to peace for humanity. Eighty years later, today we must unite to uphold the outcomes of World War II, the post-war world order, and the UN-centric international system, and join our efforts to promote multipolarity and democratisation of international relations.
“Mr President, you accurately noted that preparations for President Xi Jinping’s visit and his participation in the celebrations to be held in early May are the main purpose of my current visit. Before this meeting with you now, Minister Lavrov and I have met to align every item on our agenda that concerns preparations for this visit.”
In the above-mentioned meeting with Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister said that his country highly appreciates the global initiatives that China proposed, fully supports China’s position on the Taiwan question, and is willing to jointly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and safeguard a just and equitable international order.
Discussing Ukraine, Wang reiterated China’s consistent position and expressed support for all peace efforts, noting that China is willing to continue to build more international consensus through the Group of Friends for Peace and play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the crisis.
During his visit, Wang Yi also gave an extensive and exclusive interview to the Russia Today media group.
On the overall state of bilateral relations, he said:
“Under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, the partnership and strategic interaction between China and Russia has been continuously deepened, which not only fully meets the logic of history, but also proves the powerful self-sufficiency of bilateral ties. This allows us to live in peace, harmony and common prosperity, and furthermore contributes to the formation of a multipolar world and the democratisation of international relations.
“Today’s Sino-Russian relations have three characteristics: First, ‘Forever friends, never enemies.’ Our relations have matured on the basis of continuously summing up historical experience and learning from past lessons. The leaders of the two countries, with their inherent political foresight, made a historic decision to ‘close the past and open the future.’
“Second, equality and mutually beneficial cooperation. Chinese-Russian relations have acquired a qualitatively new content and scope. Cooperation is not only high-level, but also accessible to ordinary people, brings real tangible benefits to our peoples and provides enormous benefits to other countries of the world.
“Third, non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting of third parties. Sino-Russian relations do not pose any threat to others, much less are they subject to outside interference or disruption and are not only a modern example of a new type of relationship between major powers, but also an important stabilising factor in a turbulent world.”
He continued: “This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. I am confident that under the joint efforts of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, China and Russia will firmly develop the great friendship, promote an accurate interpretation of the history of World War II and defend its results, bring the China-Russia comprehensive partnership and strategic coordination in the new era to new heights, and make new contributions to advancing the world order in a more just and rational direction.”
Surveying the history of bilateral economic relations, he noted: “From the implementation of 156 key projects with the help of the Soviet Union to the current trade turnover of 244.8 billion US dollars, from Russian agricultural products on the table of Chinese families to Chinese cars on the streets of Russia – all this proves that stable and improving practical cooperation has given a powerful impetus to the deepening of bilateral relations.”
Asked for China’s view on the current overtures of US President Donald Trump on the Ukraine issue, he responded: “We draw attention to the repeated statements of the Russian side, in particular President Putin, that Moscow has not refused and does not refuse dialogue as a means to resolve the conflict. Although the situation on the battlefield is not easy at all, there is a tendency towards peace talks. President Putin and President Trump have already spoken on the phone twice, the teams of Moscow and Washington are in contact, a serious conversation has taken place on the political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis and the improvement of Russian-American relations, and certain results have been achieved.
“China is ready, taking into account the aspirations of the parties involved, to play a constructive role in the settlement together with the international community, especially the countries of the Global South. We advocate eradicating the causes of the crisis through dialogue and negotiations, and ultimately achieving a fair, long-term, binding peace agreement acceptable to all parties involved, which would make it possible to achieve truly lasting peace and stability in Eurasia and throughout the world.”
Regarding the international impact of a possible improvement in bilateral relations between Moscow and Washington, he noted: “Russian friends have probably also taken into account those who like to make noise and are once again speculating on the so-called ‘reverse Nixon’ strategy. We see in this not only a direct transactionalisation of international politics, but also a relapse into obsolete confrontational-bloc thinking. Those who live in the 21st century and think in the stereotypes of a zero-sum game cannot keep up with the times. The Chinese-Russian relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction have withstood the test of international turbulence, they stand at the forefront of the times, indestructible and strong as Mount Tai. We fully understand and support Russia, which defends its legitimate rights and interests by diplomatic means.”
Turning to US measures against China regarding the supposed fentanyl issue, Wang countered: “Fentanyl abuse is the United States’ own problem, which the Americans themselves must deal with. China, like no other country in the world, pursues an anti-drug policy in all its severity and completeness. Nevertheless, guided by the principles of humanism, we helped the United States in every possible way. How did they respond? They responded not with good but with evil – groundless tightening of tariffs. What is the reason for this? To solve the problem or a deliberate provocation? If you really want to solve it, then stop the crude tariff blackmail in favour of holding equal consultations with the Chinese side and finding ways to mutually beneficial cooperation. Just as no intimidation or despotism has worked on China so far, so it will be in the future. If the US does not stop all kinds of pressure, even blackmail, our response will be the most decisive.”
On this year’s 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, he said: “As the main theatres of war in Asia and Europe, in the brutal war between good and evil, China and Russia were the main forces in the joint struggle against fascism and militarism. Without giving in to violence and fighting in bloody battles, our peoples, at the cost of enormous sacrifices and hardships, stopped and destroyed the aggressors, defended the sovereignty and dignity of the country, and made a significant historical contribution to the Victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. Our countries established unbreakable bonds of friendship in their joint resistance in World War II, which served as a powerful impetus for the comprehensive development of bilateral relations. On the basis of the great victory, China, Russia and other major allies of the anti-fascist coalition jointly established the United Nations and jointly drafted a number of important international documents, including the UN Charter, which laid the cornerstone of the modern world order and established the basic norms of modern international relations.
“Against the backdrop of colossal changes unseen in a century, we must firmly stand for international justice, together with peace-loving peoples around the world, preserve the historical truth about the innumerable victims, and oppose any attempts and actions to deny, distort or falsify the history of the war. We must jointly protect the post-war world order, firmly uphold the authority and status of the UN… implement genuine multilateralism, and promote compliance by all countries with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We advocate an equal and orderly unipolar world and will deepen close cooperation within the SCO, BRICS and other multilateral platforms in favour of strengthening solidarity and developing the Global South in order to move towards the goal of creating a community of shared destiny for humanity.”
Asked about Donald Trump’s call for the world to get rid of nuclear weapons, Wang Yi explained that: “The leaders of the P5 [permanent members of the UN Security Council] have reached an important consensus that a nuclear war cannot be won and should never be fought. Since the first day of its possession of nuclear weapons, China has made known to the world its pledge never to be the first to use nuclear weapons, not to use them against non-nuclear states or in nuclear-weapon-free zones, or to threaten to use them. China is firmly committed to a nuclear self-defence strategy and does not intend to engage in a nuclear arms race with anyone, and always maintains the lowest level of nuclear arsenal necessary to maintain national security.
“Those who have the largest nuclear arsenal must give special priority to fulfilling their nuclear disarmament obligations, and work on further significant and practical reduction of nuclear weapons, so as to create conditions for comprehensive and full-fledged nuclear disarmament. China’s nuclear arsenal is incomparably inferior to that of the United States, and their nuclear policies and strategic security environments are fundamentally different, so the current US demand for China to join the trilateral nuclear disarmament talks is unfair and unrealistic. Moreover, on this issue, Russia has repeatedly called for respect for China’s rights in the nuclear sphere.”
Finally, he spoke of his impressions of Russia based on his many visits: “Russia is a country with a brilliant culture. Excellent Russian literature and art have a far-reaching influence on the development of world civilisation. And the Russians are a strong and resilient nation that consolidates powerful patriotic forces at a critical moment when the Motherland is on the brink of an abyss or under external pressure.
“Ten years ago, I accompanied President Xi Jinping to the celebrations on Red Square dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the USSR’s Victory in the Great Patriotic War. More than 80 years ago, Soviet soldiers set off for the front from here immediately after the parade [and an inspirational speech by JV Stalin]. With their deadly struggle, where every inch of their native land was soaked in blood, they wrote an indelible, valiant page in the annals of Victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. I am convinced that 80 years later, under the leadership of President V. Putin, the unyielding and courageous Russian people will overcome all difficulties and challenges and will take more confident steps and achieve more brilliant feats on the path to state development and national revival.”
The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency and on the websites of the President of Russia and the Chinese Embassy in Moscow. The interview with Wang Yi was published in Russian and has been machine translated.
Putin urges Russia, China to further strengthen strategic cooperation
MOSCOW, April 1 (Xinhua)–Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday called on Russia and China to consistently enhance their strategic cooperation amid global turbulence.
Putin made the remarks when meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the Kremlin.
During the meeting, Putin conveyed his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed satisfaction over the effective implementation of the consensus reached between the two countries’ heads of state.
He noted that Russia-China relations continue to develop at a high level, with practical cooperation deepening in various fields and the ongoing “Russia-China Year of Culture” generating enthusiastic public support, further solidifying the foundation of bilateral friendship.
Marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War this year, Putin extended an invitation for Chinese representatives to attend commemorative events in Russia.
He emphasized the shared historical significance of celebrating victories over Nazi fascism and Japanese militarism, stating that Russia is fully making preparations for the occasion.
He added that this milestone should propel Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and strengthen multilateral collaboration within frameworks such as the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and BRICS.
Amid global turbulence, Putin stressed the need for both nations to consistently send a strong signal of enhanced strategic coordination to the world.
Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed warm regards from Chinese President Xi Jinping to President Putin.
He highlighted that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have matured into a resilient and stable partnership characterized by deepening political trust, closer strategic alignment, and sustained practical cooperation.
This cooperation, he noted, has safeguarded both nations’ development and shared interests in major international and regional affairs.
Wang said that China-Russia collaboration “never targets third parties” and remains impervious to external interference, emphasizing that the relationship will “keep broadening, not stagnate”, with a vision oriented to the long-term future.
He recalled that over 80 years ago, the peoples of China and the Soviet Union fought tenaciously on the Asian and European fronts, sacrificing immensely to defeat Japanese militarism and Nazi fascism, thereby contributing decisively to global peace.
Today, as pivotal stabilizing forces in a turbulent world, China and Russia must jointly uphold the outcomes of World War II, defend the post-war international order, and reinforce the United Nations’ central role in the global system.
Both countries, he said, are committed to advancing multilateralism and democratizing international relations.
He said that the two countries have aligned their plans to support each other’s 80th-anniversary commemorative events, expressing confidence that the leaders’ engagements this year will further promote bilateral ties.
During his visit, Wang also held multiple rounds of talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss bilateral and international issues.
Meeting with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi
MOSCOW, April 1 (Kremlin) — Vladimir Putin met with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the Kremlin.
From the Russian side, the talks were attended by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Aide to the President Yury Ushakov and, on the Chinese side, by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Russian Federation Zhang Hanhui and Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin.
* * *
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Minister, friends.
Allow me to cordially welcome you to Moscow. I am very pleased to see you again.
Before we begin our conversation, I would like to ask you to convey my friendly greetings to the President of the People’s Republic of China, our good friend Mr Xi Jinping.
We are waiting for him in Russia on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, World War II. We will mark this anniversary – victory over Nazi Germany and victory over militaristic Japan – together.
We would like to express satisfaction with the way our relations are developing, including with the direct support of our respective foreign ministries. I am aware that you have an extensive and busy programme for your visit. First of all, it is connected with preparations for the visit of the President of the People’s Republic of China to Russia. We will prepare a good and fulfilling programme.
I hope it will involve not only participation in solemn events, but will also be a separate visit. The President of the People’s Republic of China will be our main guest, and we will have an opportunity to discuss the current state of bilateral relations and our interaction on international venues, primarily the UN – the UN Security Council – as well as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS and a number of other platforms where we work together with great success.
We are very pleased to see you.
Welcome, Mr Minister.
Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi (retranslated): President Putin,
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me.
First of all, let me convey to you the warmest greetings from your longtime friend President Xi Jinping.
Since the beginning of this year, the President has been in close contact with you. Under your leadership, bilateral relations have been developing, multifaceted cooperation has been steadily advancing, and international cooperation between our two countries has been deepening.
Thanks to the personal attention and efforts of our respective leaders, political mutual trust constantly gets stronger, strategic coordination tightens, practical cooperation deepens, the great cause of national rebirth of our countries is guaranteed, and our common interests in pressing international regional affairs are protected.
Cooperation between China and Russia is never directed against third parties and does not succumb to impediments coming from outside. We will not tread water when it comes to advancing bilateral relations, and we have a broad prospects open to us. Our friendship is not based on fleeting considerations, but is of a long-term nature.
You have accurately noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of Great Victory in the war against Nazism and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. Eighty years ago, the Chinese and Soviet people fought bravely in Europe and Asia, on the main front, suffered heavy national losses, and defeated militaristic Japan and Nazi Germany, thus making a major contribution to peace for humanity.
Eighty years later, today we must unite to uphold the outcomes of World War II, the post-war world order, and the UN-centric international system, and join our efforts to promote multipolarity and democratisation of international relations.
Mr President, you accurately noted that preparations for President Xi Jinping’s visit and his participation in the celebrations to be held in early May are the main purpose of my current visit. Before this meeting with you now, Minister Lavrov and I have met to align every item on our agenda that concerns preparations for this visit. Generally speaking, we can safely say that preparations are going quite well, and we are proceeding as planned.
Today, we have a very good in-person opportunity to listen to your valuable opinions, which I will report to the President personally.
I am confident that the President’s upcoming visit to Russia, as well as your visit to China, will unquestionably give another boost to bilateral relations.
Thank you.
Chinese, Russian FMs agree to deepen practical cooperation, safeguard just int’l order
MOSCOW, April 1 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agreed on Tuesday to jointly advance the development of bilateral relations and cooperation across various fields.
They made the remarks during Wang’s official visit to Russia where he held talks with Lavrov.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have twice engaged in strategic communication so far this year, guiding the steady progress of bilateral relations amid the major changes unseen in a century and making new important deployments to deepen comprehensive strategic coordination between the two countries.
China is willing to work with Russia to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, jointly advance the development of bilateral relations and cooperation across various fields, and continue to benefit the two peoples, Wang said.
Wang noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victories of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN).
China is willing to work with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities as permanent members of the UN Security Council to safeguard the outcomes of World War II, as well as international fairness and justice, he said.
China is also ready to work with Russia to promote a multi-polar world and greater democracy in international relations, so as to make new contributions to the cause of peace and development, he added.
Wang expressed his confidence that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era will gain fresh momentum and reach a new stage.
For his part, Lavrov said that Putin and Xi have injected strong impetus into bilateral strategic coordination, guiding bilateral relations to an unprecedented level.
Russia and China share a long tradition of good-neighborliness and friendship, a long border and broad common interests, Lavrov said, adding that Russia is willing to work with China in accordance with the guiding principles set by the two heads of state to achieve new results in bilateral relations.
Lavrov noted that facing the complex international landscape, Russia and China have maintained close coordination to inject stability to the world.
Russia highly appreciates the global initiatives that China proposed, fully supports China’s position on the Taiwan question, and is willing to jointly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and safeguard a just and equitable international order, he noted.
The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination between the two foreign ministries and prepare for exchanges at all levels within the year, deepen practical cooperation in various fields and consolidate the material foundation of bilateral relations.
They pledged to make the China-Russia Years of Culture a success, enrich cultural exchanges and enhance friendship between the two peoples.
They also agreed to enhance coordination within frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, the G20 and the UN to jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Lavrov said that Russia eyes for eliminating the root causes of the crisis and is committed to building a lasting security architecture for Eurasia.
Wang reiterated China’s consistent position and expressed support for all peace efforts, noting that China is willing to continue to build more international consensus through the Group of Friends for Peace and play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the crisis.
The two sides also coordinated their positions on the current international situation, particularly developments in the Asia-Pacific region.
Interview with Wang Yi to the international media group “Russia Today”
April 1 (Chinese Embassy in Moscow) — On April 1, 2025, local time, during an official visit to Russia, member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC Wang Yi gave an interview to the international media group “Russia Today”. The full text follows below.
1．Mr. Minister, how would you comment on Chinese-Russian relations? Russian President Vladimir Putin said that relations between China and Russia have reached their highest level in history. Is it possible to further increase the level of partnership and strategic interaction?
Wang Yi: I fully support President Putin’s fair and very accurate assessment. As each other’s largest neighbors, world powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, our countries bear a special responsibility for maintaining world peace and development. Under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, the partnership and strategic interaction between China and Russia has been continuously deepened, which not only fully meets the logic of history, but also proves the powerful self-sufficiency of bilateral ties. This allows us to live in peace, harmony and common prosperity, and furthermore contributes to the formation of a multipolar world and the democratization of international relations.
Today’s Sino-Russian relations have three characteristics: First, “Forever friends, never enemies.” Our relations have matured on the basis of continuously summing up historical experience and learning from past lessons. The leaders of the two countries, with their inherent political foresight, made a historic decision to “close the past and open the future.” The principle of “Forever friends, never enemies” enshrined in the Sino-Russian Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation serves as a solid legal basis for advancing strategic cooperation at a higher level. As our people say, “Close neighbors are like family, wishing only the best for each other.” Thanks to the correct strategic perception of each other, we have found a path of long-term coexistence that meets our common interests. Over more than 70 years of joint development, China and Russia have established strong mutual trust, and the relations between us are deeply rooted, rich in content and powerful resilience.
Second, equality and mutually beneficial cooperation. As early as the early 1990s, China and Russia took the principles of equality, mutual benefit and complementarity of advantages as the basis for bilateral cooperation. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the principle of cooperation and mutual benefit has been established as the guiding norm for practical cooperation between the two countries in all areas. Following the trends of the times and taking into account each other’s legitimate concerns, we have been continuously promoting comprehensive cooperation and increasing common interests. Several decades later, today, Chinese-Russian relations have acquired a qualitatively new content and scope. Cooperation is not only high-level, but also accessible to ordinary people, brings real tangible benefits to our peoples and provides enormous benefits to other countries of the world.
Third, non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting of third parties. For China and Russia, as two neighboring countries and world powers, neither alliance nor confrontation meets the fundamental or long-term interests of the two countries and their peoples. Based on the principles of non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting of third parties, Sino-Russian relations do not pose any threat to others, much less are they subject to outside interference or disruption, and are not only a modern example of a new type of relationship between major powers, but also an important stabilizing factor in a turbulent world. These three principles are a logical choice for the two countries and a unique beginning in the history of interstate relations.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. History is not subject to oblivion. It is important for us to preserve good memories of it and confidently move forward. I am confident that under the joint efforts of Chairman Xi Jinping and President Putin, China and Russia will firmly develop the great friendship, promote an accurate interpretation of the history of World War II and defend its results, bring the China-Russia comprehensive partnership and strategic coordination in the new era to new heights, and make new contributions to advancing the world order in a more just and rational direction.
2．Currently, practical cooperation between China and Russia is developing dynamically. Last year, bilateral trade turnover exceeded 244 billion dollars, setting a new historical record. In your opinion, what is the “success code” of fruitful Chinese-Russian cooperation despite external interference? What are the priority areas of cooperation between the two countries in the future?
Wang Yi: Over the past decades, through joint efforts, the scale and foundation of China-Russia cooperation have been expanded, its scope has been expanded, and fruitful results have been achieved. From the implementation of 156 key projects with the help of the Soviet Union to the current trade turnover of 244.8 billion US dollars, from Russian agricultural products on the table of Chinese families to Chinese cars on the streets of Russia – all this proves that stable and improving practical cooperation has given a powerful impetus to the deepening of bilateral relations.
Despite the difficulties in global development, our practical cooperation has always moved forward, maintaining a positive trend in both quantity and quality. This has become possible primarily thanks to the guiding role of the heads of state. Chairman Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin maintain close contacts, carry out high-level planning and solid strategic guidance for bilateral relations in the new era. In addition, our countries have common development needs. We are fellow travelers in development and revival, have a common border of more than 4,300 kilometers, great complementary advantages, huge potential and broad space for cooperation. Third, we have a strong internal driver for interaction. Sino-Russian cooperation is aimed at the benefit of the peoples of the two countries, and we have established a ramified cooperation mechanism between us. No matter how strong the external interference and pressure, we are capable enough to remove obstacles in cooperation without losing momentum or deviating from the right course. Fourth, we have a solid social foundation. The peoples of the two countries are connected by a common historical memory, similar values and deep traditional friendship. A careful attitude towards mutually beneficial cooperation forms an inexhaustible force for the promotion of cooperation.
China-Russia cooperation is like an express train, the scenery outside the window changes, the weather changes, but the train still moves steadily forward. In a turbulent and changing world, China-Russia cooperation will steadily develop along the designated track with an eye on three major tasks. First, build a solid material foundation for bilateral relations, strengthen the foundation of cooperation in the economic, trade and energy fields, unleash the potential in technological innovation and green development so as to cultivate additional growth drivers. Second, increase opportunities for common prosperity by further expanding openness to each other, sharing experiences and innovation achievements to deepen cross-industry integration. Third, give more impetus to global development, promote further synergy between cooperation within the BRI and the EAEU, give full play to the leading role of the China-Russia linkage in regional cooperation, and ensure the security, stability and smoothness of international industrial and supply chains through high-level communication between Beijing and Moscow.
3．How does China feel about President Trump’s latest ideas on the Ukrainian settlement? What is your assessment of the results of the telephone conversations between the leaders of Russia and the United States?
Wang Yi: The Ukrainian crisis, which is called the largest geopolitical conflict since the end of the Cold War, has been going on for four years now. From the very first day after the outbreak of the crisis, we have been advocating for a political settlement through dialogue and negotiations, and have supported any efforts aimed at restoring peace. This position corresponds to the aspirations of most countries in the world community.
We draw attention to the repeated statements of the Russian side, in particular President Putin, that Moscow has not refused and does not refuse dialogue as a means to resolve the conflict. Although the situation on the battlefield is not easy at all, there is a tendency towards peace talks. President Putin and President Trump have already spoken on the phone twice, the teams of Moscow and Washington are in contact, a serious conversation has taken place on the political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis and the improvement of Russian-American relations, and certain results have been achieved. The step towards peace, although not so big, is constructive, it is worth taking. You can’t get peace lying down, you need to work and achieve it with work.
It should also be noted that the causes of the crisis are extremely complex, the parties still differ significantly on a number of key issues, and the path to restoring peace is far away. China is ready, taking into account the aspirations of the parties involved, to play a constructive role in the settlement together with the international community, especially the countries of the Global South. We advocate eradicating the causes of the crisis through dialogue and negotiations, and ultimately achieving a fair, long-term, binding peace agreement acceptable to all parties involved, which would make it possible to achieve truly lasting peace and stability in Eurasia and throughout the world.
4．What impact do you think the intensification and improvement of relations between Moscow and Washington will have on international politics and the economic landscape?
Wang Yi: Russia and the United States have taken the first step in normalizing relations, which is good for stabilizing the balance of power between major powers and instills optimism in the disappointing international situation. In the modern world, there is a growing deficit of certainty. In these conditions, large countries must, by fulfilling their obligations, act as a stabilizing factor in an unpredictable world. Russia and the United States, the leading world powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, bear a significant share of responsibility for peace and tranquility on the planet, primarily global strategic stability. The spirit of the times and the configuration of the world order will depend on the decision made by Moscow and Washington. So this will constantly be in the center of attention of the world community.
Russian friends have probably also taken into account those who like to make noise and are once again speculating on the so-called “reverse Nixon” strategy. We see in this not only a direct transactionalization of international politics, but also a relapse into obsolete confrontational-bloc thinking. Those who live in the 21st century and think in the stereotypes of a zero-sum game cannot keep up with the times. The Chinese-Russian relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction have withstood the test of international turbulence, they stand at the forefront of time, indestructible and strong as Mount Taishan. We fully understand and support Russia, which defends its legitimate rights and interests by diplomatic means. The human community has a common destiny, great powers must follow the dictates of the historical process, with a sense of duty to make a greater contribution to the welfare of humanity.
5．How do you think the trade war between China and the US will end? Is China going to impose additional tariffs on American goods?
Wang Yi: Every country inevitably encounters various problems in the course of its development, and all countries have their own reasonable concerns. However, the key to solving problems ultimately lies in one’s own hands, not in someone else’s pockets. Instead of fixing its own problems, Washington is trying in every way to shirk responsibility, shift the blame from the sick to the healthy, resorting to imposing tariffs, even to the use of blackmail and ultimatums. The United States is sick itself, but it forces others to be treated. This will not help solve the existing problems in any way, and will also cause serious damage not only to the global market and trade order, but also to the United States’ own reputation. “America First” cannot be achieved by bullying the United States, especially to the detriment of the interests of other countries.
The twofold increase in tariffs against China under the pretext of fentanyl has no basis. Fentanyl abuse is the United States’ own problem, which the Americans themselves must deal with. China, like no other country in the world, pursues an anti-drug policy in all its severity and completeness. Nevertheless, guided by the principles of humanism, we helped the United States in every possible way. How did they respond? They responded not with good but with evil – groundless tightening of tariffs. What is the reason for this? To solve the problem or a deliberate provocation? If you really want to solve it, then stop the crude tariff blackmail in favor of holding equal consultations with the Chinese side and finding ways to mutually beneficial cooperation. Just as no intimidation or despotism has worked on China so far, so it will be in the future. If the US does not stop all kinds of pressure, even blackmail, our response will be the most decisive.
Mutual respect is the fundamental principle of interstate relations and the most important prerequisite for building China-US relations. As President Xi Jinping said during a telephone conversation with US President Trump earlier this year, China and the US must peacefully coexist, and confrontation should not be a choice. China will, guided by the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation put forward by President Xi Jinping, further advance China-US relations in the direction of stable, healthy and sustainable development. At the same time, we will take the most decisive steps to protect our sovereignty, security and development interests. We hope that the US side will soberly assess the historical trend and make a prudent choice.
6．This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. How would you assess the role of China and Russia in the victory in the anti-fascist war?
Wang Yi: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War. As the main theaters of war in Asia and Europe, in the brutal war between good and evil, China and Russia were the main forces in the joint struggle against fascism and militarism. Without giving in to violence and fighting in bloody battles, our peoples, at the cost of enormous sacrifices and hardships, stopped and destroyed the aggressors, defended the sovereignty and dignity of the country, and made a significant historical contribution to the Victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. Our countries established unbreakable bonds of friendship in their joint resistance in World War II, which served as a powerful impetus for the comprehensive development of bilateral relations. On the basis of the great victory, China, Russia and other major allies of the anti-fascist coalition jointly established the United Nations and jointly drafted a number of important international documents, including the UN Charter, which laid the cornerstone of the modern world order and established the basic norms of modern international relations.
Against the backdrop of colossal changes unseen in a century, we must firmly stand for international justice, together with peace-loving peoples around the world, preserve the historical truth about the innumerable victims, and oppose any attempts and actions to deny, distort or falsify the history of the war. We must jointly protect the post-war world order, firmly uphold the authority and status of the UN under the auspices of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, implement genuine multilateralism, and promote compliance by all countries with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We advocate an equal and orderly unipolar world and will deepen close cooperation within the SCO, BRICS and other multilateral platforms in favor of strengthening solidarity and developing the Global South in order to move towards the goal of creating a community of shared destiny for mankind.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s liberation from Japanese occupation, and in this regard, I would like to emphasize the following. First, Taiwan’s return to China is an important component of the outcome of World War II and the post-war world order. The Cairo Declaration issued by China, the United States, and Great Britain in 1943 clearly stated that all territories taken from the Chinese people by Japan, such as Taiwan, must be returned to China. The Potsdam Declaration, adopted in 1945 by China, the United States, Great Britain, and the USSR, confirmed that the provisions of the Cairo Declaration were subject to unconditional implementation. On August 15 of the same year, Japan accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, announced unconditional surrender, and then signed the Instrument of Surrender, committing to faithfully implement all the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration. This series of documents, which have international legal force, unambiguously confirmed China’s sovereignty over Taiwan and laid the foundation for the post-war world order. These historical and legal facts are beyond doubt. They confirm that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and that any form of suppression of the identity of Taiwanese compatriots as Chinese is unacceptable. No matter how the situation on the island changes, the historical trend of China’s reunification remains unstoppable.
7. Donald Trump called on the world to get rid of nuclear weapons, would you believe in his sincerity? Is China ready to give up nuclear weapons? Under what conditions is China ready to negotiate with Russia and the United States on limiting strategic weapons? Is it possible to reach a trilateral agreement in this area?
Wang Yi: Speaking at the UN headquarters in Geneva in January 2017, President Xi Jinping said: “Nuclear weapons are the sword of Damocles hanging over humanity. They must be banned everywhere and, eventually, completely destroyed, denuclearizing our planet.”
The leaders of the P5 have reached an important consensus that a nuclear war cannot be won and should never be fought. Since the first day of its possession of nuclear weapons, China has made known to the world its pledge never to be the first to use nuclear weapons, not to use them against non-nuclear states or in nuclear-weapon-free zones, or to threaten to use them. China is firmly committed to a nuclear self-defense strategy and does not intend to engage in a nuclear arms race with anyone, and always maintains the lowest level of nuclear arsenal necessary to maintain national security. China’s nuclear forces and policies make an important contribution to world peace.
Nuclear disarmament should be based on the principles of “maintaining global strategic security” and “not compromising security for all”, and it should be carried out in stages. Those who have the largest nuclear arsenal must give special and priority to fulfilling their nuclear disarmament obligations, and work on further significant and practical reduction of nuclear weapons, so as to create conditions for comprehensive and full-fledged nuclear disarmament. China’s nuclear arsenal is incomparably inferior to that of the United States, and their nuclear policies and strategic security environments are fundamentally different, so the current US demand for China to join the trilateral nuclear disarmament talks is unfair and unrealistic. Moreover, on this issue, Russia has repeatedly called for respect for China’s rights in the nuclear sphere.
The United States must effectively reduce the role of nuclear weapons in national security and cease such actions that undermine strategic security as the creation of a “nuclear alliance” through “nuclear sharing” and “extended nuclear deterrence,” the deployment of land-based intermediate-range missiles and other strategic forces near the borders of other states, and the creation of a global missile defense system. We call on Washington to make serious efforts to reduce the risks of nuclear war and achieve the goal of denuclearization of the planet.
8．China and Russia are countries with ancient history and brilliant culture. You have been to Russia many times. What left the deepest impression on you here?
Wang Yi: You are absolutely right. China and Russia are great countries, and the Chinese and Russian peoples are great nations. I have visited Russia many times for work, been to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan and other cities, and communicated with many Russian friends from different circles. I deeply felt that Russia is a country with a rich history. Well-preserved historical monuments can be seen everywhere, from government officials to ordinary citizens – respect for history and the desire to preserve and remember it have become a new norm of behavior. Russia is a country with a brilliant culture. Excellent Russian literature and art have a far-reaching influence on the development of world civilization. And the Russians are a strong and resilient nation that consolidates powerful patriotic forces at a critical moment when the Motherland is on the brink of an abyss or under external pressure.
Ten years ago, I accompanied Chairman Xi Jinping to the celebrations on Red Square dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the USSR’s Victory in the Great Patriotic War. More than 80 years ago, Soviet soldiers set off for the front from here immediately after the parade. With their deadly struggle, where every inch of their native land was soaked in blood, they wrote an indelible, valiant page in the annals of Victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. I am convinced that 80 years later, under the leadership of President V. Putin, the unyielding and courageous Russian people will overcome all difficulties and challenges, and will take more confident steps and achieve more brilliant feats on the path to state development and national revival.
