Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi and Secretary Nikolai Patrushev of the Security Council of the Russian Federation jointly held the 18th round of the China-Russia strategic security consultation in Moscow on Tuesday, during which they exchanged in-depth views on a wide range of topics on deepening bilateral strategic cooperation, strengthening coordination and enhancing mutual trust. 

The institutionalized exchanges between China and Russia on strategic security issues showed the stability and continuity of China-Russia relations, which contributes to stabilizing global governance against the backdrop of the complex international situation full of uncertainties, Chinese experts noted. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China-Russia relations have withstood the test of international changes and continue to develop in a healthy and stable manner. The strategic cooperation between the two countries is constantly enriched, and the quality of practical cooperation continues to improve. As permanent members of the UN Security Council and responsible major countries, China and Russia closely cooperate on the international stage, jointly defend true multilateralism, oppose all acts of power bullying, and promote the development of a more fair and reasonable global governance system. 

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stated that the China-Russia strategic security consultation mechanism, as an important part of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between the two countries, reflects the depth of political mutual trust and the breadth of strategic cooperation between China and Russia. Since the establishment of the mechanism, the two sides have maintained close communication and positive interaction, effectively safeguarding common interests and contributing wisdom and strength to global strategic stability and the resolution of regional hotspot issues. The firm mutual support on issues involving each other's core interests demonstrates the significance of being comprehensive strategic partners. China is willing to work with Russia to further release the effectiveness of the mechanism based on the important consensus of the two heads of state, and make greater contributions to safeguarding national security and promoting world peace and stability. 

Patrushev stated that since the beginning of this year, Russia-China relations have steadily developed and practical cooperation has progressed in an orderly manner. Faced with rapidly changing international security situations and frequent challenges, China and Russia are not influenced or interfered by external factors, and they adhere to independence and strengthen strategic cooperation. Russia firmly supports China's just position on the Taiwan question, issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, and opposes Western interference in China's internal affairs. 

On Monday, Wang also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

On the heels of Wang's meeting with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Malta, the meetings with Russian senior officials highlighted China's positive role in safeguarding the stability of global order, experts noted.

Prior to visiting Russia, Wang met with Sullivan, which was described as "candid, substantive and constructive strategic communication on stabilizing and improving bilateral relations."

Zhang Hong, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, believes the strategic consultation is of great importance as the visit paves the way for a possible meeting between the heads of state in October. 

During Monday's talks, Lavrov shared his views on the Ukraine crisis and applauded China's position paper for accommodating the security concerns of all parties and being conducive to eliminating the root causes of the conflict. The Russian side, he said, is always open to negotiations and dialogue.

China is committed to the right approach of peace talks and will play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis in its own way, Wang said.

After the conflict between Russia and Ukraine broke out, the US-led Western camp has been demanding China to take sides. But China is a big independent country. It will uphold its national position and interests, and handle international relations as a responsible, major and independent country, Zhang told the Global Times.

A VOA report on Tuesday commented on Wang's meeting with Sullivan before heading to Russia, claiming it reflects Beijing's continued commitment to finding a balance between the two pairs of relations.

One of the most important relationships in the world today is the "great trilateral," namely China, the US and Russia, Cui Heng, a scholar from the China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times. He said the Russia-Ukraine conflict has strengthened the importance of the "great trilateral" and it is inevitable for China to maintain communication with the US and Russia at the same time.

The relationship between China and Russia will not be affected by changes in the external environment, Yang Jin, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. Yang stressed that China-Russia cooperation is not directed against any third party.

Wang told Lavrov that both China and Russia adhere to independent foreign policies, and their cooperation is neither targeting any third party, nor influenced by a third party, let alone subject to interference and provocation by any third party.