Russian FM hails relations with China

The relations between Russia and China are at their best in history, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday.

Being two major countries neighboring each other, with close collaboration over the past decade, "we can confidently say that our relations are the best in their history," Lavrov said.

"It is a mutually beneficial cooperation in the full sense of the term, in which there are no seniors and juniors, masters and slaves," he said in an interview with Italian monthly magazine Limes, which specializes in geopolitics.

"The route of the Russian-Chinese relations is based on fundamental interests of the two peoples, and neither we nor our Chinese friends are going to change it," he added.

The top Russian diplomat noted that China has been a major trading partner of Russia since 2010.

Both countries had been implementing strategic projects in the energy sector and enhancing cooperation in such spheres as space, aviation, nuclear energy and military affairs.

Lavrov said Russia and China paid great attention to investment and financial sectors of their partnership. In this regard, the two sides agreed to align the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

"The coordination between our countries on the world arena has become an important factor of ensuring international and regional stability," Lavrov said.

He said Russia and China hold similar stances on some key issues, have both defended and strengthened collective principles in world affairs based on international law, respect the identity of peoples and their right to independent choice of development paths.

Lavrov added that the two countries were resolute opponents of imposing external pressure on sovereign states, including unilateral sanctions or the use of force.

Russia and China interacted effectively and always supported each other in various multilateral venues, including in the United Nations, G20, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, he said.

"I am convinced that if relations between other countries are reminded of those between Russia and China, it would only benefit the world. In this regard, a stable and equitable polycentric system of global governance would be formed," Lavrov said.

During the interview, the diplomat reiterated Russia's foreign policy of developing cooperation with partners around the world based on equality.

"In this context, the development of political dialogue and practical cooperation with China is strategic, not opportunistic."

In addition to expressing willingness to cooperate with European countries and calling for changes in the West's policy of isolating Russia, Lavrov also talked about Russia's stances on major international issues including Ukraine, Syria and the fight against terrorism. Endi