Russia praises “unprecedented” relationship with China and criticizes Asia-Pacific

Tsivileva intervened at the first plenary session of the forum, dedicated to the international order and strategic stability, in which he stated that cooperation between Moscow and Beijing progresses “in all directions”, including in the military field.

The Russian Deputy Minister stated that relations between the two countries are at a “unprecedented” level and defined them as a “conscious” and “historical” choice, which responds to the fundamental interests of the Russian and Chinese peoples.

Tsivileva also pointed out that personal contacts between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping mark the tone of the bilateral relationship.

According to the person responsible, Putin will return to China soon to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for November, and hold talks with Xi after the two leaders met in Kyrgyzstan two weeks ago, on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (OCX) summit.

The Russian representative defended a multipolar world order based on respect for sovereignty, the religious and cultural characteristics of each country and the interests of all states, “independently” of the size, economic or military capacity and political system.

It also argued that each country should be able to determine its defence priority partners in accordance with its own interests without acting “under external pressure”.

Tsivileva stated that the worsening of the international situation is also affecting Asia-Pacific and associated it with the emergence of new “closed block structures”, although he did not mention the United States or its allies.

In recent years China and Russia have strengthened political and military cooperation, through joint exercises, aerial patrols and frequent contacts between their respective military leaders, in an intensified approach since Xi and Putin proclaimed in Beijing, shortly before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a “without limits” relationship.