Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi
On May 20, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Astana.
Sergey Lavrov extended gratitude for the warm reception of President Vladimir Putin in Beijing and Harbin on May 16-17. In return, the Chinese side expressed appreciation for the selection of the People’s Republic of China as the destination for the Russian leader’s first state visit after assuming office.
The ministers highlighted the critical significance of highest-level engagements in advancing the deepening of comprehensive partnership relations and strategic interaction between both nations. They delved into the substantive discussion regarding the execution of agreements made during the Beijing summit, along with addressing various other topics on the bilateral agenda.
They also exchanged opinions on the current status and future prospects of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The foreign ministers of Russia and China acknowledged the joint efforts of member states in upholding peace and stability in Eurasia. They also highlighted the increasing influence of the Organisation on global and regional affairs.
The ministers reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing mutual coordination within the UN, its Security Council, as well as the SCO, BRICS, the G20, APEC and other key international organisations and dialogue platforms. Various pressing issues were addressed, including the Middle East peace process, developments in the Red Sea region, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. The meeting participants also put an emphasis on the necessity of constructing a new security framework for Eurasia, particularly given the stagnation of Euro-Atlantic mechanisms.
Sergey Lavrov thanked the Chinese partners for their well-balanced stance on resolving the Ukrainian crisis and appreciated Chinese President Xi Jinping’s proposal to convene a peace conference with an equal participation by Russia and Ukraine, considering Moscow’s legitimate security interests and the current situation.
There was a thorough discussion regarding the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly concerning the increased provocative actions by the United States and its allies. These actions aim to involve specific Asia-Pacific nations in narrow-bloc arrangements, undermining the ASEAN-centric security framework and deploying destabilising weapon systems in the region.
The parties strongly condemned the interference of third countries in China’s internal affairs, particularly regarding the Taiwan issue. Amid the inauguration of Taiwan’s “president” Lai Ching-te on May 20, the Russian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Moscow’s steadfast adherence to the “one China” principle. The discussion was held in the usual trust-based and constructive manner.