Putin Meets Chinese FM on Sino-Russian Ties, World SituationRussian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan discussed Russian- Chinese relations Sunday in Moscow, vowing to strengthen the partnership of strategic cooperation between their countries.During their talks in the Kremlin, Putin highly valued the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in all fields, and stressed that Chinese President Jiang Zemin's upcoming visit to Russia in July will be this year's most important event in bilateral ties and of greatest realistic and historic significance. "I'm very glad to exchange views with President Jiang on how to expand and deepen our partnership of strategic cooperation and how to enhance mutual coordination in international affairs," Putin said. "During President Jiang's visit, we will sign a key treaty on the friendly neighborhood and cooperation between Russia and China, which will provide a more firm and reliable juristic guarantee for the full-scale development of our countries' relations." Putin reiterated that Russia will stick to "One China" policy and constantly, strongly support China's stand on the Taiwan issue. Tang appreciated Putin's views on Sino-Russian ties and Russia' s understanding and support for China on the issues of Taiwan, Tibet and human rights. The minister, who arrived here Friday for a Shanghai Five ministerial meeting and an official visit after ending a trip to Ukraine, emphasized that President Jiang attaches great importance to his upcoming state visit to Russia and is ready to outline together with Putin an overall strategic program for boosting bilateral ties in the new century. The two presidents will sign the landmark treaty on friendly neighborhood and cooperation, which will open a new chapter in the history of the two nations' relationship, Tang noted. He expressed confidence that Jiang's visit will further consolidate the mutual understanding and trust between the two great countries and toughen the full strategic cooperation of the two biggest powers. Despite the progress of political multipolarity and economic globalization in the world, Tang said, the Cold War thought, hegemonism and power politics have not yet step out of the history 's arena, and regional conflicts never stop. Therefore, the international strategic balance and stability are facing serious challenges. Under such a situation, the Sino-Russian cooperation of mutual benefit and strategic partnership is especially in need, as it conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and helps to promote the peace and security in the Asian-Pacific region and in the world as a whole. Earlier Sunday, Tang held talks with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov. They inked the protocol of the treaty on the friendly neighborhood and cooperation between China and Russia, which is to be officially signed by the two presidents in July. |
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