Russia is to hold a parade on Friday to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. The main point of parades is not the parade itself, but to move on to the future world we want to build after the parade. This is what both Russia and China are doing, with their leaders, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, meeting in Moscow during the celebrations.
Both of our countries have much to be proud of. Notably, trade continues to expand, with significant progress in sectors such as energy, high-tech industries and manufacturing, among others. In general, the steady development of our relationship is encouraging, as a growing number of citizens from both countries actively participate in various forms of cooperation between Russia and China.
Naturally, it would be unrealistic to consider Russia-China relations as entirely free of challenges; some difficulties arise from various circumstances. Some are rooted in objective factors – differences in approaches, contrasting business practices and other disparities that reflect the fact that Russia and China are distinct nations. Nonetheless, these issues are steadily being addressed and resolved, as demonstrated by the ongoing growth in bilateral trade.
Other obstacles stem from external pressures, shaped by a global environment that remains wary and at times unfriendly toward both countries. While these challenges are also surmountable, they require a different set of strategies. Crucially, the key to overcoming difficulties lies in the strong connection between our peoples and reliable interaction between the leaders of our countries.
Yet, the true strength of Russia-China relations goes beyond practical cooperation; it is grounded in a largely shared view of the modern world. As was wisely observed long ago, for people to act in unison, their questions about the world matter more than their answers. While our responses may differ, it is the shared concerns and mutual pursuit of solutions that truly unite us.
Russia and China both aspire to a fair, interconnected and harmonious world – one without hegemony, where nations of all sizes and populations enjoy equal rights, chart their own course and work toward the prosperity of their peoples.
Many joint initiatives reflect this shared vision. For example, the development of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries is an important pillar in shaping a future global order rooted in these principles. The idea of linking the Eurasian Economic Union with the BRI further illustrates the commitment to building a cooperative and inclusive framework. In this regard, it is necessary to mention that BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other initiatives are essential to create a global environment where all can thrive on equal footing.
It should be noted that the construction of a new world based on universally accepted rules faces formidable resistance. The reasons for this opposition are different. Many difficulties are consequences of the uneven pace of global development. Unfortunately, conditions in numerous regions remain dire, marked by poverty, conflict, and widespread disillusionment with the promise of meaningful progress.
This frustration is understandable. After generations of hardship, people are reluctant to wait patiently for gradual improvements in their lives. For Russia and China, it is crucial to help restore balance in these areas by fostering at least a basic level of stability, which is essential for sustainable growth and long-term development.
Another significant challenge is associated with the desire of certain countries to maintain their superiority at all costs. The political elites of many countries of Western European and North American countries tend to cling to their hegemony.
In contrast, both China and Russia advocate for cooperation with all partners based on equality and mutual respect. It is evident that the common position of our two countries has had a notable impact on these elites and even more so on ordinary citizens who, unlike their leaders, are generally free from such hegemonic ambitions and, like most people worldwide, value peace and stability.
Overcoming entrenched bias in the West requires a careful balance of adaptability and resolve. It seems to me that both Chinese and Russian diplomacy have succeeded in crafting and refining such a balanced strategy. One of the most pressing issues facing the modern world is the growing interdependence between countries and not only between states, but also among a wide range of international actors. However, mechanisms for managing this interconnectedness remain inadequate.
Whether we look at climate change, advanced technologies, global communications, or healthcare, these challenges are, in essence, transnational and cannot be effectively addressed by any single country alone. The COVID-19 pandemic starkly exposed the flaws in current international health governance.
Against this backdrop, the shared vision that China and Russia hold for globalization and international regulation is particularly significant. Admittedly, it is unrealistic to expect seamless global cooperation in a world fractured by deep divisions. But it is entirely feasible to begin shaping a future global framework piece by piece whether through Eurasian collaboration, partnerships built around the BRI, BRICS, or new forms of cooperation yet to emerge.
The article was previously published on the CGTN website.
