China, Russia pledge to expand cooperation, safeguard interests of developing countries

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) foreign ministers' meeting in Bali, Indonesia, July 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Russia have maintained normal exchanges and pushed forward cooperation in various fields in an orderly manner, showing the strong resilience and strategic determination in bilateral ties, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

BALI, Indonesia, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed here on Thursday to further expand bilateral cooperation and jointly safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

When meeting with the Russian top diplomat on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) foreign ministers' meeting in Bali, Indonesia, Wang said under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Russia have maintained normal exchanges and pushed forward cooperation in various fields in an orderly manner, showing the strong resilience and strategic determination in bilateral ties.

China appreciates Russia's active participation in the 14th BRICS Summit hosted by China, and its contribution to building consensus in the international community and promoting global development, Wang said.

China is ready to work with other BRICS members, including Russia, to implement the major results achieved at the summit and speed up the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, so as to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and uphold international equality and justice, he said.

For his part, Lavrov said Russia and China have played an important role in safeguarding the United Nations Charter and international law, promoting a fairer international order and pushing for more democratic international relations by upholding responsible stances and maintaining strategic collaboration, which is recognized and supported by developing countries.

The Russia-China relations, Lavrov said, are not subject to external interference and the practical cooperation between the two countries is advancing smoothly, with a great potential for further development.

He added that Russia is ready to expand the area and scale of cooperation between the two countries, so as to better benefit the two peoples.

Russia supports the important concepts put forward by China including the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, and will strengthen coordination and cooperation with China, Lavrov said.

Wang said it is the shared aspiration of developing countries to oppose hegemony, bullying and unilateralism.

Facing the realities of the current international politics, will countries choose to pursue power politics and hegemony or promote the process toward a multi-polar world? Will they truly uphold international order with the United Nations at its core or cling to the rules set by a handful of countries by their own standards?

"As time goes by, more and more countries will have a clearer view of this and make the right choice," Wang said.

China stands ready to work with all sides to implement the Global Security Initiative proposed by the Chinese leader and practice the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, Wang said.

The two sides exchanged views on the Ukraine situation. Lavrov introduced the Russia-Ukraine situation and Russia's stance on and proposal for the issue.

Wang said China will continue holding an objective and just position, focusing on de-escalating the situation and promoting peace talks, and supporting all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis.

Both sides agreed to support Indonesia in successfully hosting the G20 foreign ministers' meeting, and strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Wang is here to attend the G20 foreign ministers' meeting on Thursday and Friday. He is on an Asia tour, which takes him to Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.