Russia, China Emphasize Strategic Partnership

Acting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan Wednesday pledged to strengthen the strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries.

In the current international situation, the strengthened cooperation between China and Russia not only conforms to the fundamental interests of the two nations, it is also of great significance to the progress of a multi-polar world and the establishment of a just and reasonable new world order, said Chinese President Jiang Zemin in a personal message, which Tang delivered to Putin at a meeting with him in the Kremlin.

Putin, for his part, said that Russia attaches great importance to the Russia-China strategic partnership of cooperation, which is very useful for accelerating the two people's interests and strengthening world and regional peace and stability.

As the two states have broad common interests, he said, developing bilateral strategic cooperation is the two peoples' common desire as well as a most significant factor of global security.

Tang, who arrived in Moscow Monday for a three-day official visit, fully agreed with Putin's viewpoints, stressing that maintaining good neighborly relationship and expanding reciprocal cooperation between the two states coincide with their fundamental interests.

As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and Russia take upon themselves special responsibilities for preserving world peace and stability, said the Chinese minister.

The two sides agreed to work together to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields to a new high, and to make full preparation for the fifth regular meeting of the premiers, scheduled for this year in Beijing, in order to achieve more practical results in future cooperation.

Tang believed that the strategic partnership between China and Russia also helps boost the progress of a multi-polar world as well as the establishment of a just and reasonable new world order.

The sides shared the opinion that any attempt or practice to destroy the territorial integrity of a sovereign state is unacceptable and the argument about alleged "humanitarian intervention" is very dangerous.

Putin reiterated Russia's "One-China" policy and its persistent stance on the Taiwan issue, which is expounded in all previously reached bilateral documents. He reaffirmed support for China's efforts in peaceful national reunification.

Meanwhile, Tang expressed support for Russia's anti-terrorist operations in Chechnya.

He confirmed Chinese President Jiang Zemin's invitation for Putin to visit China this year.

Thanking the Chinese president and Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji for their warmest regards that Tang had carried to him, Putin asked the minister to convey his warmest regards to Jiang and Zhu.

Tang ended his first official visit to Russia late Wednesday, during which he met Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov Tuesday.

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