China-Russia relations remain "as steady as rock" despite test of winds and rains, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a press conference on Sunday on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress. He answered questions of journalists from home and abroad on China's foreign policy and external relations, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

According to the livestream of the press conference, Wang made the remarks when responding to a question raised by Russia's Sputnik News Agency. The question noted that China has repeatedly stated its opposition to any deliberate infringement on the sovereignty and security of other countries. In the face of a complex international situation, how can China and Russia - two major powers - counter attempts to reshape international law and global trade rules, the reporter asked.  

Wang said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era, as well as the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. Amid an international landscape fraught with turbulence and transformation, China-Russia relations have remained "as steady as rock" despite test of winds and rains."

Why has this level of resilience been achieved? Wang said it is primarily because the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination was built from the very beginning on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and mutual benefit. This reflects the essence of a new type of international relations and points the way forward for a new model of major-country relations, he said.

Strategically, China and Russia maintain independence and autonomy, the Chinese Foreign Minister said. "We always respect each other's core interests, refrain from imposing our own will or agenda on the other side, and adhere to the principles of non-alignment, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of any third party."

Wang also noted that politically, there is a high degree of mutual trust between China and Russia. "Standing back-to-back" is the essential feature of our relationship. We are not afraid of any external instigation or pressure, and we possess strong strategic resilience," Wang elaborated, Xinhua reported.
 
In action, China and Russia maintain close coordination. On major international and regional affairs, we share the greatest strategic consensus and the closest strategic collaboration - including on the very issue you just raised: defending international rules and order, Wang noted.

The post-World War II international order has withstood 80 years of trials and challenges and has now arrived at another critical juncture. Last year, the heads of state of China and Russia attended each other's commemorations of the victory in the anti-fascist war. The two sides issued three important joint statements on deepening comprehensive strategic coordination, consolidating global strategic stability, and upholding the authority of international law, Wang remarked at the Sunday conference.

Together, we sent a clear message to the world: We are firmly committed to upholding the correct historical view of World War II, safeguarding the outcomes of the World War II victory, and opposing unilateral hegemonic acts. Eighty years ago, China and Russia made our contributions to the establishment of the postwar order. Today, 80 years later, we will inject "China-Russia energy" into ushering in a multipolar world, Wang noted.  

Global Times