China, Russia agree on need for closer coordination

China and Russia agreed on Tuesday to strengthen coordination, maintain their ties and pursue the vitalization of both countries’ development as they jointly promote global security and stability.

The pledge was made at the 19th round of the annual China-Russia strategic security consultation, which was co-chaired by Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Russian Federation Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu.

This was their second meeting in two months. Wang and Shoigu met in September in St. Petersburg.

The more complex the international situation becomes and the more that external challenges arise, the more China and Russia need to stand in solidarity and coordination in order to defend shared interests, Wang said.

He stressed that Beijing is willing to work with Moscow to maintain close communication and coordination, strengthen multilateral cooperation, and provide a strong guarantee for the high-level development of China-Russia relations.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-Russia diplomatic relations. The presidents of the two countries have so far met three times this year.

The two neighbors have continually deepened political trust and advanced pragmatic cooperation, Wang said, adding that they have also made important contributions to strengthening unity and cooperation among Global South nations.

Calling the leadership of the two heads of state the greatest political advantage and fundamental guarantee for the high-quality development of bilateral ties, Wang said that the strategic security consultation mechanism should adhere to implementing the consensus of the two heads of state. He called for the two countries to strengthen coordination on issues concerning both sides’ security and development interests through the mechanism in order to enhance strategic mutual trust and enrich the content of bilateral strategic cooperation.

Shoigu said that relations between Moscow and Beijing are a stabilizing influence in international affairs. Russia is willing to work with China to step up bilateral cooperation, strengthen cooperation in multilateral mechanisms, and push for new progress in bilateral relations, he said.

Shoigu will also attend the ninth meeting of the China-Russia law-enforcement and security cooperation mechanism during his five-day stay in China.

zhoujin@chinadaily.com.cn