Head-of-state diplomacy sets the tone for relations

Zhang Hanhui, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Chinese ambassador to Russia, voiced his expectations for high-level exchanges between China and Russia this year, noting that the two heads of state will "hold multiple meetings".

Last year, President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged successful visits on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union and the World Anti-Fascist War, with each of them attending the grand commemorative events in the other's country, Zhang noted.

The two sides signed a joint statement on further deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era in May last year, which Zhang said is "driving bilateral relations to take more solid strides forward".

On Dec 31 last year, Xi and Putin exchanged congratulatory messages for the New Year. Shortly after that, Xi held a virtual meeting with Putin on Feb 4.

"China and Russia conduct high-level exchanges every year, and the development of China-Russia relations is primarily guided by head-of-state diplomacy," Zhang said.

"Additionally, the regular meeting between the two countries' premier/prime minister will be held in Russia this year, and there are cooperation mechanisms between China's National People's Congress and Russia's Federal Assembly," he added.

Zhang said this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic cooperative partnership, as well as the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia. The two sides launched the China-Russia Year of Education this year.

"Both sides will take these as opportunities to continuously deepen all-round cooperation in various fields," he said.

"The two countries will continuously consolidate the social and public opinion foundation for lasting friendship across generations, elevate the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era to a higher level, create greater benefits for both peoples, and offer stronger impetus to world peace and development," he said.

From January to November last year, the trade volume between China and Russia reached $203.67 billion, exceeding the threshold of $200 billion for three consecutive years, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The ambassador said the bilateral practical cooperation is promising and "the number of cooperative projects continues to grow".

Regarding the significance of China-Russia coordination for global governance and the international landscape, the ambassador noted that both nations are major countries and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

"They both bear due responsibilities for safeguarding world peace and stability as well as preserving the status and role of the UN. It is perfectly natural for them to enhance cooperation," he said.

The two countries maintain close communication on many major international and regional issues, hold consistent or similar positions, share extensive common interests in international and regional affairs, and have engaged in close cooperation, Zhang said.

In addition to the UN, China and Russia play leading roles within frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, he said. "Such cooperation between the two countries is of great significance for promoting the healthy development of the international situation and maintaining world peace and stability," he said.

"I would like to reiterate that China-Russia cooperation is not directed against any specific party, nor is it about uniting to deliberately oppose anyone. What we uphold is international fairness and justice," he added.

As for future collaboration on boosting global governance, Zhang noted, "There remains great room for cooperation between the two sides."