Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov: Head of State Diplomacy is a Core Element of China Russia Relations

    China and Russia have jointly embarked on a new path of harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation among major powers and neighboring countries, benefiting both countries and their peoples, and contributing wisdom and strength to international fairness and justice. President Putin and I unanimously agree to continue close exchanges and ensure the smooth and stable development of China Russia relations. Experts interviewed by Global Times stated that pragmatic cooperation between China and Russia will continue to soar this year.

On the 9th, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed warm congratulations to President Putin on his high vote re-election during a meeting with Lavrov in Beijing. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia 75 years ago, the relationship between the two countries has gone through trials and tribulations, forging ahead with determination. Wang Yi emphasized that the diplomacy of the head of state is the fundamental guarantee for the stable and far-reaching development of China Russia relations. China is willing to work with Russia, in accordance with the consensus reached by the two heads of state, to leverage the unique advantages of the high-level communication mechanism between China and Russia, strengthen the docking of development plans between the two countries, and promote practical cooperation in various fields. Lavrov stated that thanks to the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, Russia China relations have reached an unprecedented high level and continue to develop beyond the Cold War military alliance. Russia will continue the tradition of friendship between Russia and China and comprehensively strengthen cooperation with China.

At the press conference after the meeting, when discussing further consolidating and developing Sino Russian relations, Wang Yi emphasized the need to adhere to the "Five Always": both sides should always follow the strategic guidance of the head of state's diplomacy; Both sides must always adhere to the principles of "non alignment, non confrontation, and no targeting of third parties"; Both sides must always adhere to the right path in the face of right and wrong; Both parties should always pursue inclusive and win-win cooperation; Both sides should always promote an equal and orderly multipolarity in the world.

Associate Professor Wang Chenxing from the School of International Political Economy at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences stated in an interview with Global Times on the 9th that the "Five Perseverances" mentioned the need for both sides to always adhere to the right path in the face of right and wrong. This indicates that China and Russia support each other's core concerns and achieve mutual prosperity and rejuvenation, which is one of the most crucial factors for long-term cooperation between the two countries.

Wang Chenxing's analysis suggests that pragmatic cooperation between China and Russia will continue to soar this year. In 2023, the trade volume between China and Russia reached a record high of 240.1 billion US dollars, and it is expected to maintain high-speed growth this year. The trade cooperation between China and Russia has gradually risen to the level of cooperation between industrial chains, from industrial chain docking and matching to achieving industrial chain integration. In addition, there are many positive factors for maintaining good cooperation between China and Russia, including promoting the development of world multipolarity. Wang Chenxing said, "This year's BRICS summit is the first meeting of BRICS countries after expanding their membership. This is an opportunity for China and Russia to further promote the multipolarity of the world's political and economic landscape, accelerate the formation of non Western governance systems, and then further bring closer relations between countries in the 'global south'."

According to TASS on the 9th, Lavrov stated at a press conference that head of state diplomacy is a "core element of Russia China comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.". He revealed that he discussed with China the holding of meetings between the leaders of the two countries during various international activities in the future, including the BRICS summit held in Kazan in October this year and the SCO summit held in Astana in June. According to a report by Russian news agency on the 9th, Russian President's press secretary Peskov stated that Lavrov's visit can be seen as a preparation for the upcoming high-level contacts. Peskov stated that the contact between the heads of state of Russia and China is being planned, but it is still too early to discuss the exact date of Putin's visit to China.