March 24, 2013 · 0 Comments
As permanent members of the UN Security Council, Russia and China share responsibility for safeguarding world peace. They are also strategic partners, neighbors and friends.
‘Never foes, forever friends’. So said Chinese President Xi Jinping when he spoke at Moscow’s Institute of International Relations Saturday a day after holding a seven-hour Kremlin summit with his hosting counterpart Vladimir Putin:
“The relationship between Russia and China is the closest and the best of any two powers. It serves the fundamental interests of both countries. Moreover, it bolsters world peace and safeguards the global balance of power”.
Russia and China, Mr Xi said, defend the principles of international law and strongly oppose attempts to interfere in the domestic affairs of sovereign states. They also insist that the ideologies of colonialism and the Cold War must be consigned to history, and no power or group of powers can be allowed to dictate its will to others.
Mr Xi again:
“After decades of rapid change, the world has become so interconnected in every aspect that its nations have no choice but to adhere to the principles of cooperation and mutual benefit. Russia and China believe all nations are equal, including in everything that concerns their dignity”.
Members of Mr Xi’s academic audience challenged him to explain his notion of ‘the Chinese dream’. This is what he had to answer:
“The ‘Chinese dream’ is my people’s vision of a mighty national rebirth. The latter should include prosperity and might. After a century of suffering external aggression and domestic tribulations, the Chinese people also value peace. They need peace to develop their country and improve their lives”.
China’s neighbours, Mr Xi argued, should see China’s might as a boon rather than a threat. China offers them unlimited trade and investment. Accordingly, it does not take part in the international arms race.
Experts disagree, pointing out that China has boosted its annual defence spending by 11% to almost $115bln. They also call attention to the fact that China is locked in territorial disputes with Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines.
By myfuamerica
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