Wang Yi Meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

On September 18, 2023 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.

Wang Yi said, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have maintained a momentum of sound and steady development, with continuously deepening practical cooperation, rich and colorful people-to-people and cultural interactions, and fast-growing personnel exchanges. A China-Russia relationship featuring enduring good-neighborliness and friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination, as well as mutually beneficial cooperation and win-win results will continue to contribute to the two countries' respective development and revitalization, and bring significant benefits to the two peoples.

Wang Yi said that both China and Russia pursue an independent foreign policy, and bilateral cooperation does not target any third party, is not subject to disruption by any third party, and is not swayed by any third party. As major countries in the world and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and Russia bear important responsibilities for maintaining global strategic stability and promoting world development and progress. In the face of mounting unilateral acts, hegemonism and bloc confrontation, China and Russia should follow the trend of the times, demonstrate the responsibilities of major countries, fulfill their due international obligations, and uphold true multilateralism and promote a multi-polar world through continuously strengthening strategic cooperation, so as to make global governance more just and equitable.

Sergei Lavrov said that in March this year, President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to Russia and held an important meeting with President Vladimir Putin, which charted the course for the future of Russia-China relations. Russia is willing to work with China to take this as guidance to make good preparations for the next high-level exchanges between the two countries, strengthen the synergy of development plans, and deepen cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, sports and youth. In response to the complex and drastic changes in the international situation, Russia and China should further strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, so as to jointly safeguard the basic norms governing international relations.

Both sides spoke highly of the historic expansion of BRICS membership, and expressed willingness to work with all BRICS member states to build a greater BRICS platform of solidarity, cooperation and common development. Sergei Lavrov said that Russia will play its role as the rotating chair of BRICS and work with China to achieve greater development of the BRICS cooperation mechanism.

Sergei Lavrov shared his views on the Ukraine crisis, and applauded China's position paper for accommodating the security concerns of all parties and being conducive to eliminating the root causes of the conflict. The Russian side will continue to be open to negotiations and dialogue. Wang Yi said that China is committed to the right direction of peace talks and will play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis in its own way.

The two sides also had an exchange of views and coordinated positions on the international and regional issues of mutual interest and concern.