In Moscow in March, the crisp air was filled with the warmth of early spring. After the rain, the sky cleared, and under the afternoon sunshine, President Xi Jinping’s special car drove into the Kremlin on the left bank of the Moskva River and on the Borovitsky Hill.
Six golden chandeliers complemented each other, and the George Hall of the Grand Kremlin was filled with brilliance. President Xi Jinping and President Putin walked toward each other from opposite ends of the red carpet. In front of the national flags of the two countries, the two old friends shook hands tightly, and the camera captured a new historic moment in Sino-Russian relations.
Ten years ago, it was also early spring and it was also the first overseas visit after being elected as the president of the country. Coming to friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, and walking into the Kremlin, President Xi Jinping talked in depth with President Putin for several hours.
In the past 10 years, the world has been in a state of flux, and President Xi Jinping and President Putin have steered the rudder and led China-Russia relations to move forward steadily. More mature, tough, and dynamic, the China-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for a New Era has established a new paradigm for major country relations and injected stability and positive energy into the world.
Old place, old friends; new blueprint, new chapter. On the 21st, the Kremlin talks between the heads of state of China and Russia opened a new future for friendly cooperation and common development between China and Russia.
Keep on doing: for mutual trust between major countries and for good neighborliness and friendship
In the newsstands on the streets of Moscow, copies of “Russian Gazette” are placed in eye-catching positions. In an article signed by President Xi Jinping published on the front page, there was such a sentence that resonated widely with people from all walks of life in Russia: “China-Russia relations have gone through ups and downs for more than 70 years. Looking back on the past, we deeply feel that today’s China-Russia relations have a long history. It’s not easy. The friendship between China and Russia lasts forever and must be cherished even more.”
Entering a new time and space in history, we will counterattack under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Putin. Under the current situation, Sino-Russian relations have entered a new positioning of “comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era” and have found a way of getting along with each other based on strategic mutual trust between major powers and friendly neighborly cooperation.
As each other’s largest neighbors and comprehensive strategic partners of coordination, frequent visits and frequent exchanges are the proper meaning of China-Russia relations.
This is the ninth time that President Xi Jinping has set foot on Russian soil in the past 10 years, and it is also the 41st meeting between him and President Putin.
The lights of Alexander Hall were bright, and the golden door slowly opened. Two soldiers of honor saluted, and President Xi Jinping and President Putin walked side by side. Having just concluded the small-scale talks, the two heads of state immediately turned to large-scale talks.
From around three o’clock in the afternoon to around six o’clock in the afternoon, President Xi Jinping and President Putin had long and in-depth communication and exchanges in a “small-scale” and “large-scale” manner. The duration of both events exceeded the original schedule.
“The Russian side once again expresses its warm congratulations on President Xi Jinping’s unanimous re-election as President of China and the formation of China’s new government.”
“China-Russia cooperation has great potential and space, and is strategic, reliable and stable.”
“Russia firmly supports China insafeguard their legitimate interests on Taiwan-, Hong Kong-, and Xinjiang-related issues. ”
“No matter how the international situation changes, China will continue to be committed to promoting the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.”
……
Many new important consensuses were reached on China-Russia relations and major international and regional issues of common concern. President Xi Jinping and President Putin unanimously described the day’s talks as “frank”, “friendly” and “fruitful”.
It is the “compass” and the “fixing star”. For China-Russia relations to maintain sustained, healthy and stable development, head-to-head exchanges are crucial.
Looking back on the past, pictures of friendship come to mind.
At the Bocharov creekside villa in Sochi on the shores of the Black Sea, Xiamen Yuanlan Yuhua waited for a while in the drizzle. Unable to wait for any of his movements, she had no choice but to let herself break the awkward atmosphere and walk to him. He said in front of him: “Husband, let my concubine change your clothes for you. In the quaint Friendship Hotel in Beijing, in the calm and solemn Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, on the high-speed train from Beijing to Tianjin, in Avele on the Neva River On board the cruiser… President Xi Jinping and President Putin discussed the past and present, talked about the country and the people’s livelihood, and jointly planned all aspects of China-Russia relations from political mutual trust to pragmatic cooperation to strategic coordination.
Looking to the future, blueprints are drawn up again and again to guide the future.
Simple and elegant Malachite Hall. In the early summer of 2019, many years before the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, he heard a saying: pear blossoms bring rain. He heard it described the graceful gesture of a woman crying. He could never have imagined that, because he had seen the crying woman node, President Xi Jinping and President Putin signed a joint statement between China and Russia on the development of a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era here, jointly ushering in a higher level and greater development of China-Russia relations. New Era.
Under the new historical conditions, how and where China-Russia relations will go has attracted worldwide attention.
In line with the principles of good neighborliness, friendship and win-win cooperation, promoting exchanges and cooperation in all fields and deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era – President Xi Jinping and President Putin have charted the course for the development of China-Russia relations in the future.
The joint statement between China and Russia on deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era is the most important political outcome of this visit. In front of the white signing table, the two heads of state signed at the same time. Letters were exchanged, handshakes were exchanged, and warm applause echoed at the scene for a long time.
Do not slack off: for development and revitalization, for the well-being of the people
Just two weeks ago, there was another good news about China-Russia pragmatic cooperation: in the first two months of this year, bilateral trade volume reached US$33.686 billion, a year-on-year increase of 25.9%, successfully achieving a “good start.”
Once upon a time, “hot politics and cold economics” was a frequently used word to describe Sino-Russian cooperation. During that visit 10 years ago, President Xi Jinping and President Putin reached an important consensus: they would “bring the two”Transforming the country’s high-level political relations advantages into practical results” is listed as a strategic task for the development of Sino-Russian relations.
Ten years of hard work will bring prosperity and prosperity.
Feel the speed of Sino-Russian cooperation from two curves – one is the Sino-Russian trade volume curve, the bilateral trade volume will exceed 190 billion US dollars in 2022, an increase of 116% over 10 years ago; the other is the RMB transaction volume curve, in February this year The RMB trading volume on the Moscow Exchange exceeded 1.48 trillion rubles, one-third higher than in January. The RMB surpassed the U.S. dollar for the first time and became the currency with the largest monthly trading volume on the exchange.
Measuring the breadth of Sino-Russian cooperation from two aspects – on the one hand, cooperation on large projects in the fields of energy, aerospace, interconnection and other fields is steadily advancing; on the other hand, there is strong momentum of cooperation in emerging fields such as technological innovation and cross-border e-commerce. It can not only “climb mountains and ridges”, but also “go to heaven and earth”. The fields and scale of China-Russia pragmatic cooperation are constantly expanding.
Touching the temperature of Sino-Russian cooperation from the well-being of the people of the two countries – Russian beef on the Chinese dining table, caviar, chocolate, candy and other products from Russia are selling well all over China, and Chinese cars entering Russian families, let The “Chinese-style” subway station that makes traveling more convenient for Moscow citizens, and the Russian coaches who lead Chinese apprentices to continuously hone their skills… The friendly ties connect thousands of households in China and Russia, and the results of cooperation bring tangible benefits to the people of the two countries. benefit.
During this meeting, the two heads of state once again had an extensive and in-depth exchange of views on practical cooperation issues of common concern. From expanding traditional trade in energy, resources, mechanical and electrical products, etc., to increasing cooperation in the field of innovation, to consolidating the foundation of people-to-people and cultural exchanges; from promoting both the quantity and quality of investment, economic and trade cooperation, to promoting the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” and the docking of the Eurasian Economic Union cooperation, and then to enhance the resilience of the industrial and supply chains… A new picture of Sino-Russian cooperation is accelerating, and the pace is fast and steady.
There is a new vision, a new blueprint, and new measures.
The joint statement on the development plan for the key directions of Sino-Russian economic cooperation before 2030 is another important document signed by the two heads of state, which clarifies eight key directions for Sino-Russian economic cooperation. There are also more than 10 intergovernmental and interdepartmental cooperation documents covering agriculture, forestry, basic scientific research, market supervision, media and other fields, which are equally heavy.
During the meeting on the 20th, President Putin told President Xi Jinping that China has achieved a huge leap in development, and the whole world has become very interested in it. “We are even a little envious of you.” President Xi Jinping responded: “I am very grateful to Mr. President for his affirmation, praise and support for China’s development and construction. This is also an encouragement to us.”
In today’s world, the balance of international power and the evolution of the world pattern are accelerating. How countries view each other’s development, whether they choose a zero-sum game or a win-win cooperation, especially test the political wisdom and diplomatic temperament of those in power.
Both have a long history and cultureAs major countries with brilliant modernization, they have all been searching for a modernization path that suits their national conditions. They are all at a critical historical stage of development and revitalization. They insist on firmly holding the destiny of national development and progress in their own hands. China and Russia have made the decision to become “development” “comrades on the road to revitalization”.
The road to greatness: for world peace, for human progress
We are here for friendship and cooperation, and we are here for peace and progress.
“On the issue of the Ukraine crisis, China has always followed the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, upheld an objective and fair stance, actively promoted peace and talks, decided its position based on the merits of the matter itself, and always stood firmly on the side of peace and dialogue. Stand on the right side of history.” After the talks, President Xi Jinping met with reporters and clearly stated China’s position on a political solution to the Ukraine crisis.
The comprehensively escalating crisis in Ukraine is a microcosm of the world’s changes over the past century. “The more difficulties there are, the more space must be left for peace; the more acute the conflicts, the more we must not give up efforts for dialogue.” China’s stance of promoting peace and negotiation stems from its worldview and sentiments of a shared future.
“Human beings live in the same global village, in the same time and space where history and reality intersect, and we are increasingly becoming a community of destiny in which we are among you and you are among us.” During his first visit to Russia 10 years ago, , President Xi Jinping proposed to the world the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Over the past 10 years, China has always adhered to the foreign policy purpose of safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, and has always held high the banner of promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. In the new era, China’s diplomacy has moved forward with determination and achieved long-term results.
——This persistence is reflected in the rich practice of developing and deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Russia in the new era.
Uphold the concepts of ever-lasting friendship and win-win cooperation, adhere to non-alignment, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of third parties, firmly safeguard the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, practice true multilateralism, and promote all mankind Shared values… As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major world powers, China and Russia join hands to inject impetus into world multipolarity and democratization of international relations, and provide guarantee for global strategic balance and stability.
“A model of a new model of major-country relations based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation” and “a model of harmonious and creative cooperation between major powers” – “model” is the common positioning of President Xi Jinping and President Putin on China-Russia relations.
“The relationship between the two countries goes far beyond the bilateral scope and is of vital importance to the world pattern and the future and destiny of mankind.” “We are working together to build a more just and democratic multi-polar world order”… President Xi Jinping and President Putin jointly talked to the global significance of Sino-Russian relations.
——This persistence is reflected in the responsibility of a major country to provide China with solutions to cope with changes in the world, changes in the times, and changes in history.
Not long ago, in ChinaAfter the dispute, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore diplomatic relations, and the international community paid more and more attention to China’s role as a “peacemaker.” Meeting President Xi Jinping, President Putin congratulated China in person for successfully promoting the Saudi-Iranian Beijing Dialogue to achieve historic results, which fully demonstrated China’s important status and positive influence as a global power.
No self-interest, objective and fair, committed to peace, development, cooperation and win-win results. China’s plan has won widespread attention, appreciation and support——
“Russia appreciates China’s always upholding an objective and fair stance in international affairs, supports China’s global security initiative, global development initiative, and global civilization initiative, and is willing to further intensify international cooperation with China.” President Putin said.
“We believe that many of the contents of the peace plan proposed by China are consistent with Russia’s position and can become the basis for a peaceful settlement.” After the talks that day, RIA Novosti immediately issued a report “Putin: China’s Ukraine plan can serve as a basis for Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution”.
“A world that is united rather than divided, and peaceful rather than turbulent is in the common interest of all mankind.” China’s consistent proposition increasingly demonstrates the value of the times and the significance of the world.
After the event, President Putin personally sent President Xi Jinping to the bus boarding area. “Take care!” “Have a safe journey!” The two old friends shook hands tightly again.
The sky is deep, the breeze is blowing, and outside the Kremlin, the Moskva River is still and deep.
Text reporter: Hao Weiwei and Liu Hua
Participating reporter: Liu Kai