Wang: China ready to work with Russia on East Asia, other issues
China is ready to work with Russia to elevate strategic coordination, safeguard their respective security and development interests and support each other's rejuvenation, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.
Wang made the remarks during talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
As key dialogue partners of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China and Russia should strengthen strategic coordination within East Asian cooperation frameworks, Wang said.
He emphasized the importance of supporting an ASEAN-centered, open and inclusive regional architecture, and called for greater consensus on development to transform East Asia into a key engine for global growth.
Lavrov noted that the close coordination and cooperation between Moscow and Beijing demonstrate the global and strategic nature of their relationship, which is especially crucial under current international circumstances.
Both sides are committed to safeguarding peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific and remain vigilant against attempts by certain major powers to sow division and stoke confrontation, he said.
Russia fully supports China's rotating chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and stands ready to work with China to ensure the success of upcoming high-level exchanges and cooperation across various fields, Lavrov said. He also stressed the importance of continued communication and collaboration under multilateral frameworks such as BRICS.
The two ministers also exchanged views on the Iranian nuclear issue. Lavrov shared Russia's perspectives and policy considerations on the matter.
Wang reiterated that military force cannot bring peace, nor can pressure resolve the issue, and dialogue and negotiation remain the only viable path forward.
China values Iran's commitment not to seek nuclear weapons and respects its legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Wang said.
As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and key participants in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Wang said that China and Russia should continue to strengthen strategic coordination and promote a political and diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue.
He added that both countries share the responsibility of upholding the international non-proliferation regime and working toward lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.
The two sides also discussed other international and regional issues of mutual concern, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
