Russia, China March on Path of Partnership and Coordination

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, December 02, 2002

Russia, China March on Path of Partnership and Coordination

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Russian President Vladimir Putin's China visit is a significant event for relations between Russia and China, which are marching on a path of partnership and mutual coordination, says Russian Ambassador to China Igor Alexeyevich Rogachev.

Rogachev, in an exclusive review with Xinhua prior to Putin's visit reviewed the development of Russia-China relations in recent years.

He said the Russia-China Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, signed by the presidents of both countries, "constitutes the legal foundation upon which the two countries' partnership is built."

In 1992, Russia and China signed a joint declaration concerning the basis of bilateral relations which evolved into a strategic partnership in 1996, and ushered in a new phase of mutual cooperation. During Putin's visit to China in July 2000, the two heads of state agreed to draft an important political treaty.

On July 16, 2001, the Russia-China Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation was signed in Moscow, and came into force on Feb. 28 this year after approval from the two nations' parliaments.

"Both Russia and China are fully aware that in the 21st century they should become strategic partners and highlight political dialogues to improve mutual understanding and trust, expand cooperation and work together to solve problems related to bilateral ties," Rogachev said.

The two countries were actively working together in the international arena, with setting up a democratic and rational new world order among their top priorities, he said. He said Russia and China held identical or similar views on a range of global issues, with both believing the United Nations and its Security Council should play a central role in significant international issues.

Both Russia and China opposed unilateral action internationally and insisted on resolving conflicts through diplomatic methods, he added.

Rogachev said positive progress had been made in the efforts to promote regional cooperation, with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in particular.

The SCO agenda had highlighted Moscow and Beijing's joint efforts in coordinating diplomatic strength to set up a fair world,he said.

In June this year, the heads of state from six nations signed the SCO charter in St. Petersburg, laying a solid legal foundation for the organization's development.

Rogachev predicted it was possible for the SCO to be an influential political, economic, financial and investment base as well as a forum for communications between cultures and civilizations from Europe and Asia -- in other words, a vital and positive factor in promoting a multi-polar world.

He also pointed out that Russia and China held similar views on disarmament, non-proliferation of weapons of massive destruction and the means of delivery.

"Terrorism is our common enemy," said Rogachev, adding that since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States and the mass kidnapping in Moscow just weeks ago, it had become clear to all that a single nation could not cope with such disasters.

Only through close international cooperation could such unscrupulous terrorists be contained and beaten, he said.

"Mutual support between Russia and China in this aspect is timely and a Russia-China joint team responsible for smashing terrorism has been put into operation," he said.��Rogachev also praised the cooperation between Russia and China in the bilateral arena.

As neighbors, Russia and China shared a border stretching more than 4,000 km, he said.

"We are pleased to see our two countries have basically solved the border issue; two agreements in 1991 and 1994 legally settled 98 percent of our borders and the demarcation work was completed in 1999."

China was one of Russia's major trading partners, he said noting economic cooperation between the two nations had matured and more avenues for cooperation had been explored.

China-Russia trade had grown rapidly for three years in a row, Rogachev said. Bilateral trade exceeded 10 billion US dollars in 2001 and was expected to be more than 12 billion US dollars this year.

He said the seventh annual meeting of government leaders of Russia and China held in Shanghai in August this year was conducive to strengthening and deepening bilateral cooperation in various fields.

The two countries could overcome various difficulties that had arisen in setting up a mechanism for economic cooperation, he added.

Rogachev noted China had become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) while Russia was on the road to entry. "Thus both countries are more actively adopting modern methods in line with international standards in dealing with bilateral economic cooperation and trade."

Science and technology exchanges comprised an important part ofbilateral cooperation, he said. As many as 1,000 cooperative projects had taken place since the 1990s and a guideline program for bilateral science and technology cooperation had been worked out.

"Now we are exerting joint efforts to lay a sound foundation for the Russia-China partnership in the new century. In the future,our offspring will not only live in a peaceful and harmonious environment, but should also continue our collaboration and cooperation."

Looking ahead, Rogachev said he was full of confidence.

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