Russian FM Lavrov says ties with China can help build stable, orderly multipolar world

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has hailed the importance of economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between Russia and China, saying the partnership between the two sides can bring greater global stability and help build a more orderly multipolar world.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday completed a two-day state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which Putin said relations between the two sides have reached an "unprecedented level."

During Putin's visit, China and Russia issued a joint statement on advocating a multipolar world and new type of international relations. The two sides also reached 20 cooperation agreements in other fields.

In an interview with the Shanghai Media Group, Lavrov highlighted the significance of enhancing bilateral ties.

"The relations between China and Russia are founded on the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and consideration of each other’s interests. Any issues are addressed in such a way as to ensure a balance of these interests. This lends equilibrium and stability to relations between two great neighbors, but at the same time it lends stability to international relations as well, given the turbulence that is currently tearing apart virtually all regions of the world, including our Eurasian continent. The relations rest on a very solid material foundation. For several years now, trade turnover has significantly exceeded 200 billion U.S. dollars," he said.

Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, Lavrov said that the exchanges between the two peoples at all levels remains the most important aspect in maintaining their strong bilateral ties.

"President Xi Jinping stated that we are entering an era of changes unseen in a century, emphasizing the need for a fair resolution of international issues. The two countries also clarified the positioning of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between Russia and China in their joint document. What matters most is not even the terminology used to describe our relations, but the attitude of people themselves. It is clear that not only residents of the border regions, but people throughout Russia and China respect one another and value this cooperation. A China-Russia Expo is currently taking place in Harbin, and the years 2026 and 2027 have been designated as the China-Russia Years of Education," he said.

Lavrov also said the global initiatives proposed by Xi and the visions of Putin complement one another, and believes that the two sides can together contribute to building a more stable, multipolar world, as he pointed to the various international mechanisms through which this can be achieved.

"In addition to BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), multilateral mechanisms such as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), ASEAN, the African Union, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States have also become the centers for building a new world economic order. President Xi Jinping has proposed several initiatives, including the Global Security Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative. Our vision for Eurasian security and the Greater Eurasian Partnership was presented in speeches delivered by President Vladimir Putin. These initiatives complement one another, and their central objective is to harmonize all integration processes taking place across the Eurasian continent. This explains the growing interaction between the SCO and ASEAN, as well as the agreement between the EAEU and China aimed at coordinating approaches to Eurasian integration and advancing the Belt and Road Initiative. Both Russia and China seek a stable and orderly multipolar world," said the foreign minister.

Russian FM Lavrov says ties with China can help build stable, orderly multipolar world

An inheritor of the age-old Tibetan Thangka art form has introduced Chinese painting and sketching techniques to the Thangka classroom as he looks to inspire the next generation, believing that innovation is the best way to carry forward tradition.

Konchoge, a seasoned artist based in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, has adopted the novel approach to add a distinctive flair to his art. His works are striking in that they integrate traditional Chinese painting techniques which reinvigorate the thousand-year-old practice of Thangka.

The subject matter portrayed in Thangka paintings is diverse, ranging from recreations of Princess Wencheng's epic journey to the Xizang region during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) period, to more complex depictions such as Tibetan medical illustrations.

Konchoge explained how embracing sketching techniques helps add another dimension to the historical Thangka practice.

"When we depict animals or figures, the Thangka tradition doesn't have the method of sketching found in traditional Chinese painting. We've embraced this technique, allowing these animals and figures to spring to life, so to speak," he said.

Recognized for his artistic talent, Konchoge was once funded by the state to further his studies at the Academy of Arts and Design at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing, where he honed his skills.

Meanwhile, with the government providing annual funding to support the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, enrollment at the Xizang Academy of Thangka has been freely offered to the public since its founding in 2012, helping to preserve the tradition among a new generation of artists.

"No payment is required; moreover, we provide lunch consisting of three dishes and one soup, accompanied by butter tea and sweet tea," said Konchoge, who now works at the academy.

By integrating techniques from other traditional Chinese arts into his own, Konchoge is achieving a unique cultural fusion. Now, thanks to state support, the Xizang Academy of Thangka is introducing the glories of an enduring and evolving craft to the whole world.

"Preserving the ancient techniques is our mission; innovation is the best way to carry forward the tradition," Konchoge said.

Konchoge's story was featured in a new episode of the documentary "Yes, it's Xizang!" -- which was released by the China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Thursday.

Inheritor of Tibetan Thangka inheritor embraces innovation to carry forward age-old tradition