In a presentation to the State Duma on February 15, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the positive option Russia had in the new international setting. While pointing out the importance of new international institutions like BRICS and SCO, he underlined that Russia’s position in them helps secure its global position in spite of the attempts by the U.S. and NATO to curtail its influence. In that speech, he particularly pointed to the importance of the Russia-China relationship. “Together with our Chinese friends, we are energetically working to strengthen the bilateral strategic partnership, which has reached a historically unprecedented level of trust and confidence,” Lavrov said. “The foreign policy link between Moscow and Beijing cements the foundation of the emerging polycentric architecture and serves as a balancing and stabilizing factor in world affairs.”
When asked about Lavrov’s statements today at the Chinese Foreign Ministry briefing, Spokesman Wang Wenbin said, “China appreciates the positive comments of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on China-Russia relations. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, relations between the two countries have maintained sound and steady development, with deepening political mutual trust, close and effective strategic coordination and substantial progress in cooperation across the board. The two countries have worked together for a multi-polar world, greater democracy in international relations, and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China stands ready to work with Russia to further advance our comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.”
