Spotlight: China, Russia agree to cement cooperation on world challenges, bilateral ties

China and Russia have reached agreements on several issues of vital importance for both sides, including the resumption of the Six-Party Talks on the Korean nuclear issue and efforts to further their ties during the Chinese foreign minister's visit.

Both China and Russia wish for the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, and support the resumption of Six-Party Talks, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Friday.

"The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2270 should be fully implemented, which would, on the one hand, block further development of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) nuclear program, and on the other, should not have impact on its people and humanitarian needs," Wang said at a press conference after meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Wang also said that actions should be avoided to intensify tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Commenting on the possible deployment in South Korea of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), a U.S. Army anti-ballistic missile system, the two foreign ministers said it goes far beyond the defense needs of the region and would lead to an arms race.

Both Wang and Lavrov stressed the need to beef up coordination on a number of growing challenges in world affairs.

"As each other's most important and prioritized partners, China and Russia are developing comprehensive coordination as a strategic principle," Wang said.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on the upcoming intra-Syrian reconciliation talks in Geneva.

Wang noted that China-Russia cooperation is not confined to their bilateral relationship; instead the two countries have been coordinating with other countries on a number of international issues.

Increasingly complicated global concerns call for much closer communication between China and Russia within the G20, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS, said Wang.

Lavrov said Russia would work with China in a pragmatic manner to deal with global issues and further boost cooperation under a series of United Nations multilateral frameworks.

On bilateral ties, Wang said that the two sides should take this opportunity to inject fresh impetus into their partnership as this year marks the 15th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation.

He said the two sides are preparing for a number of high-level exchanges and joint programs, such as the alignment of China's Silk Road Economic Belt initiative with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union project, which he believes will yield beneficial results.

Wang said more effort should be made from both sides to promote the building of natural gas pipelines and high-speed railways, the exploration of Russia's Far East region, and the building of closer aeronautics and astronautics ties.

For his part, Lavrov said cooperation with China is a major part of Russia's foreign policy, noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinpeng met five times in the past year and the meetings have greatly boosted bilateral ties.

Russia is ready to keep high-level contact with the Chinese side, and reinforce cooperation in the fields of finance, energy, advanced and new technologies, space exploration, transport and communications, while at the same time expanding cultural exchange.

Wang also held talks with Putin during his visit. Endi