Chinese, Russian FMs agree to be vigilant to outside forces stoking regional tension

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi(L) meets with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Vientiane, capital of Laos on July 25, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

VIENTIANE -- Chinese and Russian foreign ministers have agreed to be vigilant to outside forces that stoke regional tension through various excuses and internationalize bilateral disputes.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov made the remarks during their meeting late Monday on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers'meeting held in the Lao capital Vientiane.

Wang said that recent successful visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to China and the three joint statements signed by the two leaders enriched China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, expanded the influence of their bilateral ties and was of historical significance to promote the sound and steady development of international situation.

Wang said China is willing to fully implement the important consensus reached by the two leaders and well prepared for bilateral high-level contacts in the second half of this year.

For his part, Lavrov fully agreed with Wang on the fruitful results made at the two leaders' meeting, saying that the joint statements and other documents signed during President Putin's visit showcased the common position shared by the two countries on developing bilateral relations and on major international issues.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on such issues as the upcoming G20 Summit to be held in the Chinese city of Hang Zhou, APEC meeting, the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea. Wang said China hoped that Russia could play a more active and constructive role in East Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.

During Wang's meeting with Pakistan's top foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz on Monday, he said that China-Pakistan ties have shown a strong momentum of development which has contributed to regional peace and stability.

Wang thanked Aziz for the Pakistani aid of 10,000 tons of rice to residents of flood-hit areas in South China, saying that it embodied the brotherhood between the two countries.

Wang said China is willing to work with the Pakistani side to steadily promote constructions of the Belt and Road initiative and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and expand cooperation in other sectors.

Aziz said Pakistan appreciated China's support and help, and will continue to support China on defending its core interests as well as further enhance bilateral cooperation on anti-terrorism and cultural exchanges.