Strengthened Sino-Russian ties offer globe a fresh model for cooperation

In 1949, a friendship anthem was composed in the Soviet Union to celebrate Chinese leader Mao Zedong's visit to Moscow. The song, titled Moscow-Beijing, was a rousing military march that extolled the virtues of solidarity between the two nations.

Over the past years, China has been expanding its diplomatic outreach, with President Xi Jinping visiting more than 50 countries since taking office in 2013. This has helped to establish China as a major player in international affairs, with its growing influence being felt in areas ranging from trade and investment to geopolitics and security.

One key aspect of China's diplomatic strategy has been to forge closer ties with Russia amid mounting pressure from the West. Xi's visit to Moscow in March — the third time that he chose Russia as his first foreign destination after election to the presidency — made the strategic partnership grow stronger, with the two countries working together on a range of issues, from energy to infrastructure.

The recent meeting between President Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin further consolidated the strategic partnership. During their talks, the leaders discussed a range of issues, including the promotion of multilateralism and the reform of global governance institutions, as well as increasing economic, technological and diplomatic cooperation.

The growing partnership between China and Russia has been a cause for concern for some Western countries, which fear that the two nations are seeking to challenge the existing hegemonic power. However, Putin dismissed these concerns, saying that "we don't have any plans to create some kind of military alliance".

We will continue to adhere to the principles of non-alliance and nonconfrontation, and is not targeted at any third party, Xi said.

The China-Russia partnership is built on a foundation of mutual trust, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. Their cooperation in areas such as energy, trade, investment and infrastructure has brought tangible benefits to both countries and has also created opportunities for other nations in the region. The two countries have also worked closely together on international issues, such as opposing unilateralism and protectionism and promoting regional stability and security.

As China continues to rise as a global power and Russia looks to maintain its influence in the world, the two countries' partnership has become increasingly important for fair global governance. Cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative and in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization reflects the aim of promoting regional and global economic growth and development.

China has consistently aligned itself with the right side of history, prioritizing human progress, international equity and justice, and the growth of developing countries. Guided by the Communist Party of China's 100-year journey, the country has kept pace with the overall trend and course of history, drawing on experience and wisdom along the way.

Rather than opting for confrontation, China has chosen cooperation, prioritizing openness and mutual benefit over isolation and a zero-sum game. The country rejects power politics and bullying, instead striving to work alongside peace-loving countries and people around the world, in order to maintain the momentum of human development and move toward a brighter future.

With a global perspective and a focus on serving its people, the country has sought to open up new horizons amid a rapidly changing world. By converting crises into opportunities and advancing through both struggle and cooperation, China has sought to anchor its diplomatic efforts through head-of-state diplomacy. The country has focused on building a community with a shared future for all of humanity, while telling the world the stories of the Chinese people and the CPC, adapting to change and breaking new ground in the process.

In a recent positive development, China-Russia relations have been welcomed by many countries in the region and beyond, as they offer a new model of cooperation that emphasizes mutual respect and mutual benefit. This model of cooperation, based on the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, offers an alternative to the zero-sum game and confrontational approaches that have characterized some relationships between major powers in the past.

The strengthening of China-Russia relations is not simply a matter of bilateral importance. It is a peace-promoting initiative that has far-reaching implications for the world. The partnership has the potential to shape the future of international relations in a positive way and shape the political and economic landscape on a global scale, promoting peace and stability in the process.

The author is secretary-general of the Pakistan-China Friendship Association Khyber Pukhtunkhwa in Pakistan.