China's determination and position to develop mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia have always been consistent, said Chinese Premier Li Qiang when meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Tuesday.
Li first conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and best wishes to President Putin.
Li noted that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has maintained operation at a high level.
Since the beginning of this year, President Xi and President Putin have met twice, pointing out the direction for the further development of China-Russia relations, Li said.
In the face of a volatile international situation, he said, China stands ready to work with Russia to uphold the original aspiration of eternal friendship, enhance alignment of development strategies, deepen cooperation in various fields, achieve more practical results, so as to better serve the development and rejuvenation of the two countries.
China is willing to further enhance the resilience of cooperation with Russia, consolidate and maintain the steady development momentum of bilateral cooperation, the premier said.
He urged both sides to jointly host new China-Russia national-level theme years well, leverage mutually beneficial policies, such as visa-free access, to serve the public interest, promote better mutual understanding and closer ties between the peoples of the two countries, and consolidate the foundation of people-to-people friendship in bilateral relations.
China is willing to continue to work closely with Russia to implement the outcomes of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit, carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, deepen unity and cooperation to create a model for practicing the Global Governance Initiative, promote high-quality development of the SCO, and make greater contributions to peace and development in the region and the world at large, the premier said.
Putin asked Premier Li to convey his warm regards and best wishes to President Xi.
The Russian president expressed a confidence that under President Xi's strong leadership, China will successfully achieve the development goals set out in the 15th Five-Year Plan in the making and attain even greater economic and social progress.
The Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era is at an unprecedented high level, he said, noting that Russia stands ready to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, promote cooperation in economy and trade, energy, agriculture and infrastructure, and deepen people-to-people exchanges.
He added that Russia congratulates China on the successful convening of the SCO Tianjin Summit and expressed willingness to further strengthen communication and coordination with China within multilateral frameworks such as the SCO and BRICS, safeguard regional and global peace and stability, and promote common development.
At the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Premier Li attended the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the SCO in Moscow on Nov 17 and 18.
Chinese premier says determination to develop mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia consistent
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that mediation efforts of the Pakistani side regarding the Middle East tensions are in the common interests of all parties.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.
During their talks, the two sides exchanged views on current international issues and regional conflicts.
Wang welcomed the visit of the Pakistani side to Beijing for discussion on easing tensions in the Middle East, just after its holding of a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
He said China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks. This process is no easy task, and Pakistan's mediation efforts are in line with the common interests of all parties, Wang added.
He noted China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to end the hostilities as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks.
On bilateral ties, Wang said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, calling on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and constantly advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
For his part, Dar said the Pakistan-China friendship is precious and deeply rooted in people's hearts, adding that Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Dar thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation of the situation in Iran, adding that the current conflict has disrupted international energy supplies and caused heavy damage to developing countries.
Noting that solutions can only be found through negotiation, Dar said Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to push all parties to start peace talks as soon as possible and restore regional peace.
The two sides also put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region:
I. Immediate cessation of hostilities: China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.
II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.
III. Security of nonmilitary targets. The principle of protecting civilians in military conflict should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law, and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
IV. Security of shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.
V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the United Nations, and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
