Relations with Russia, India, Key for China’s Foreign Policy

During his March 7 press conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was asked by Russia’s RT news agency if the sanctions against Russia would affect China’s relationship with Russia.

“The Chinese-Russia relationship is not dictated by international vicissitudes and does not target any third party,”

he said.

“As comprehensive strategic partners of coordination, we have a good relationship for supporting each other. … Practical cooperation between China and Russia is based on mutual need, seeks win-win results, and has enormous internal impetus and room for expansion. This year, our practical cooperation is expected to deliver a series of new results. For example, we will work hard to lift two-way trade to $100 billion. We will sign an agreement to work on the Silk Road Economic Belt and begin relevant cooperation. … We will start strategic cooperation on the development of Russia’s Far Eastern region,”

he said, working together in the fields of oil and gas and nuclear, and on high-speed rail. Both China and Russia are among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Wang said, and they would

“continue to carry out strategic coordination and cooperation to maintain international peace and security.”

Both countries are holding commemorations this year for the 70th anniversary of the World War II victory over fascism.

In reply to a question from Press Trust of India (PTI) on Chinese-Indian relations, Wang was also optimistic.

“Mr. Deng Xiaoping once said that unless China and India are developed, there will be no Asian century,”

Wang said.

“China is prepared to work with India to implement the important agreement reached by our leaders. The Chinese ‘dragon’ and the Indian ‘elephant’ should join each other in a duet to work for the early revitalization of two oriental civilizations, the common prosperity of two emerging markets and the amicable coexistence of two large neighbors.”

Wang also said that the difficult border issues would also ultimately be resolved.

“The dispute has been contained. At the moment, the boundary negotiation is in the process of building up small positive developments. It is like climbing a mountain. The going is tough and that is only because we are on the way up. This is all the more reason that we should do more to strengthen China-India cooperation, so that we can enable and facilitate the settlement of the boundary question,” he concluded.