China-Russia ties model for others: Beijing

Beijing: Mutual ties between China and Russia serve as a model for relations for all states.

This is what Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Hua Chunying, said during briefing, commenting on the statements made by Russian Foreign Ministry chief, Sergey Lavrov.

“Sino-Russian ties serve as a model for relations between countries in the international community. We have no limits to cultivating our friendship and expanding cooperation,” the diplomat said.

“We appreciate the positive remarks made by Sergey Lavrov regarding Chinese-Russian relations. Under the strategic leadership of [China’s] Secretary General Xi Jinping and President [of Russia Vladimir] Putin our bilateral relationship significantly progressed in all spheres in 2018,” the spokesperson stressed.

She added that 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Chinese-Russian relations. “The past 70 years have shown that our relationship has reached a high level of development. This meets the hopes of our people and the aspirations of our governments, and serves the common regional and global interests. This [Moscow-Beijing relationship] is a strategic force that upholds peace and stability in the world. We would like to find new opportunities for joint work on the 70th anniversary of establishing our diplomatic ties,” the diplomat noted.

“Sino-Russian relations are resistant to changes in the international landscape and will not change under the pressure of any external forces. We will continue to maintain close strategic collaboration, global peace and stability,” Hua Chunying concluded.

Speaking at a press conference on the results of 2018, Lavrov praised the prospects for cooperation between Russia and China. He highlighted the states’ close political partnership, including the coordination of approaches in international affairs, joint efforts within the framework of BRICS and the SCO as well as in the Eurasian economic space and along China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative.