Moscow. the 6th of May. INTERFAX - In the coming days, Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in Moscow on a state visit and take part in celebrations dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory. Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui spoke in an interview with Interfax about the expectations of the Chinese side from the upcoming event, as well as the prospects for the development of Russian-Chinese cooperation in various fields.
- What are the expectations of the Chinese side from the upcoming state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Russia? What important topics will the leaders of the two countries discuss?
- Sino-Russian relations have withstood the test of international turbulence and have already become a constant in today's changing world. Under the strategic leadership of the leaders of the two countries, Sino-Russian relations have maintained a high dynamic of development and are becoming stronger and deeper. In recent years, political mutual trust has been strengthening, trade and economic cooperation has expanded, humanitarian exchanges have intensified, and strategic cooperation between the two countries in the international arena has opened up new prospects. President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin have met more than 40 times, making their contacts the most frequent among President Xi Jinping's meetings with world leaders. At each of the meetings, the parties deeply discuss important strategic topics, including bilateral relations, the international situation and global governance. The leaders of the two countries have established a trusting working relationship and sincere personal friendship. Our relations can be called a model of relations between major powers. Under the new conditions, the leaders of the two countries are taking the Sino-Russian comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation relations to a new level in a new era and expanding the horizons of cooperation between the two countries.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the War of Resistance of the Chinese People to the Japanese invaders, the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the World anti-fascist War. It is also the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, which is of great historical significance. Both countries are organizing joint commemorative celebrations in honor of this anniversary. In addition, this year China will host a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO member States, and Russia will host a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO member States. At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to the Russian Federation on May 7-10 and take part in celebrations dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The two leaders will have an in-depth exchange of views on issues of bilateral relations, as well as important international and regional agendas, which will determine the vector of further development of Sino-Russian relations, comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation in the new era, outline a strategic plan and thereby contribute to China and Russia's contribution to the protection of international justice and ensuring prosperity and stability in all the world.
China stands ready to work with Russia, building on the important agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries, to provide firm support to each other on issues affecting the fundamental interests of both sides, including sovereignty, security and development, to continuously strengthen political mutual trust, deepen strategic cooperation, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and continue centuries-old friendship. Both sides will use the opportunity to jointly celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II to actively spread a correct view of the history of World War II, defend the results of Victory in World War II, firmly defend the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law, defend the legitimate rights and interests of the countries of the Global South, promote the formation of a just and an orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization.
- How does the Chinese side assess the interaction between Moscow and Beijing in multilateral international organizations, as well as their mutual support and coordination on important international agendas?
- China and Russia, as major and leading states of the world, permanent members of the UN Security Council and emerging economies, have similar positions on key international issues such as the multipolarity of the world and the democratization of international relations. Coordination and interaction on multilateral platforms is not only a natural choice based on the common interests of both countries, but also a long-standing, well-established tradition. This is the true value of the Sino-Russian comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.
In recent years, thanks to the personal attention and support of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, China and Russia have significantly deepened cooperation in multilateral formats, including the United Nations, BRICS and the SCO. The parties jointly defend the international system in which the United Nations plays a central role, speak with one voice against hegemony, forceful pressure and unilateral sanctions, firmly defend the interests of the countries of the Global South and jointly direct the reform of the global governance system in a constructive direction, and by their actions confirm their commitment to the principles of genuine multilateralism. Last year, Russia successfully assumed the BRICS presidency. Thanks to the comprehensive support of China and other BRICS partners, the BRICS Russian Year was marked by many exciting events, and the Kazan summit laid the foundation for the opening of the "head of the Global South" in global governance. Having assumed the SCO presidency this year, China, together with like-minded partners, including Russia, is making every effort to ensure a fruitful "year of China in the SCO." China intends to use the opportunity of hosting the SCO summit in Tianjin to showcase the SCO in action and highlight the growing role of the Global South in global governance, thereby contributing greatly to stability, certainty and positive dynamics in the face of modern instability and change.
- In recent years, trade and economic cooperation between Russia and China has achieved fruitful results, but it has faced a number of difficulties. How do you see the prospects for the development of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries?
- According to Chinese statistics, the volume of trade between China and Russia decreased by 6.6% in the first quarter of this year. The reasons for this decline are quite complex. At the same time, we noticed that in March there was a 16.2% increase in bilateral trade compared to the previous month, which indicates how actively the enterprises of both countries are adapting to the new conditions.
The facts show that in recent years, trade and economic cooperation between China and Russia has maintained overall development dynamics in the face of constant pressure and challenges from outside. We firmly believe that under the leadership of the leaders of our countries and with the joint efforts of Governments, local authorities and enterprises on both sides, any difficulties and problems will be only temporary. China is ready to work with Russia, building on the important agreements reached by the heads of state, and further strengthen cooperation, overcoming emerging difficulties and obstacles. The parties intend, on the one hand, to strengthen trade in traditional areas such as energy, agriculture and industry, and, on the other, to identify new promising areas of growth in developing areas, including green energy, digital economy and artificial intelligence. We will continue to support the active participation of enterprises from both countries in key exhibitions and forums such as the China International EXPO, the International Trade in Services Exhibition, the International Trade and Investment Forum, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eastern Economic Forum in order to stimulate exchanges and deepen bilateral cooperation. At the same time, we will work together to prevent external risks in order to ensure the sustainable development of the bilateral trade and economic partnership.
- This year marks the end of the Years of Culture of Russia and China. What events do the parties plan to hold within their framework? What positive role will these events play in deepening Russian-Chinese relations?
- Throughout the history of the development of Sino-Russian relations, humanitarian cooperation has always played an important and irreplaceable role. Under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, cultural exchanges between the two countries are actively developing, forming a solid bridge of mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples. During President Putin's visit to China in May last year, the leaders of the two countries jointly participated in the opening ceremony of the Years of Culture of China and Russia, at which the State Folk Music Orchestra of China and the Russian National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments named after N. P. Osipov performed. Within the framework of the Years of Culture, hundreds of various events were held, organized with the participation of government agencies and specialized organizations. In Russia, the Chinese New Year celebration in Moscow, the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Chinese Film Festival, the Ambassador's Grand Prix competition for Russian Lovers of Chinese Painting, the Chinese Ambassador's Cup on Weiqi, the first Chinese-Russian forum on online literature and concerts by the Symphony Orchestra of the National Center were held with great success. performing Arts of China. Russian Russian Culture Festival, the exhibition "Russian Feast: Traditions, Drinks and the Art of Table Setting", as well as other large-scale projects were presented in China. These initiatives have played an important role in strengthening cultural ties, expanding cooperation in the field of performing arts, and developing book publishing between the two countries.
Concluding the Years of Culture of China and Russia, cultural institutions of both countries continue to actively expand cooperation. A recent striking example was the exhibition "Fine Dining. The History of Food in Ancient China", which opened in the Museums of the Moscow Kremlin, where the collections of the National Museum of China are presented for the first time in Russia. The Russian audience was pleasantly impressed by the dance drama Wing Chun, which was successfully shown on the stages of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow and the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg. In the near future, the Bolshoi Theater is planning a tour in China, and Russian audiences will be able to see performances by art groups from Beijing, Guangdong, Shaanxi and other regions of China, which will be a continuation of fruitful cultural exchange. In addition, China actively organizes special events such as the Chinese International Confucian Culture Festival and a concert in honor of the 120th anniversary of the birth of composer Xian Xinghai. I am confident that these diverse cultural events will contribute to even greater mutual understanding between our peoples, strengthen the friendship that has been passed down from generation to generation, and give a powerful impetus and new energy to the progressive development of Sino-Russian relations.
- This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the War of Resistance of the Chinese People to the Japanese Invaders, the Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the parties will hold a number of festive events. What do you think this means for Russia and China?
- The current year marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the War of Resistance of the Chinese People to the Japanese Invaders, the Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War. In this unprecedented struggle, China and Russia have become the main fronts in Asia and Europe. The peoples of our countries, sparing no lives, fought bloody battles and, having suffered enormous sacrifices, saved their countries, making a decisive contribution to the restoration of peace throughout the world. With their blood and lives, they created an indestructible monument to Victory over fascism and militarism, leaving an indelible and truly priceless mark in the history of the struggle for peace and justice throughout the world. The military friendship tempered in the fire of the Second World War became a powerful incentive for the comprehensive development of bilateral relations and laid an unshakable foundation for the Sino-Russian friendship, which will forever be passed down from generation to generation.
After these 80 years, the clouds of the Second World War have finally cleared, but the alarm bell of history will always sound. China and Russia, as the main victorious countries of World War II and permanent members of the UN Security Council, bear great responsibility for protecting the outcome of this Victory and maintaining the post-war international order. No matter how the international situation changes, the foundation of Sino-Russian friendship remains solid, as does the unchanging moral obligation of major powers on the world stage. China and Russia intend to use the joint celebration of the 80th anniversary of victory in the World Anti-Fascist War as an opportunity to strengthen the authority and status of the United Nations, as well as demonstrate the true spirit of multilateralism. Both countries will continue to advocate for world peace, support development and prosperity, and promote cultural exchange between civilizations, which will allow new chapters to be written in the history of Sino-Russian relations and move towards building a community of common destiny for humanity.
