ISLAMABAD: China and the U.S. share important responsibility for world peace, stability and development, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a reply letter to Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation Jeffrey Greene and Flying Tigers veterans Harry Moyer and Mel McMullen on September 12.
Greene, Moyer and McMullen jointly wrote a letter to Xi recently, expressing their commitment to passing on and carrying forward the invaluable spiritual wealth of China-U.S. cooperation.
In his reply, Xi said he hopes that the spirit of Flying Tigers will be carried on from generation to generation among the Chinese and American peoples.
Xi paid tribute to the Flying Tigers veterans, saying that he is glad to know nearly 500 Flying Tigers veterans and hundreds of veterans’ families have visited China so far.
Recalling the past, Xi noted the peoples of China and the U.S. united together in the fight against Japanese fascism, endured hardships and forged a profound friendship.
Looking ahead, he said China and the U.S., as two great powers, must realise mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.
Xi stressed that the hope and foundation of China-U.S. relations lie in the peoples, and the future of bilateral ties lies in the youth.
Founded in 1998, the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation is a U.S. friendship group aiming to promote friendship and understanding between China and the U.S. by fostering a dialogue about common aviation history.
Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Monday for the 18th round of the China-Russia strategic security consultation, during which they touched on bilateral issues, the Ukraine crisis and agreed to advance global governance in a more fair and equitable direction in the face of the resurgence of unilateralism, hegemonism and confrontational blocs.
The institutionalised exchanges between China and Russia on strategic security issues showed the stability and continuity of China-Russia relations, which contributes to stabilising global governance against the backdrop of the complex international situation full of uncertainties, Chinese experts noted.
On the heels of Wang’s meeting with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Malta, the meeting with Lavrov highlights China’s positive role in safeguarding the stability of global order, they noted.
Prior to visiting Russia, Wang met with Sullivan, which was described as “candid, substantive and constructive strategic communication on stabilizing and improving bilateral relations.”
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told Lavrov that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have maintained momentum for sound and steady development, with deepening practical cooperation, rich and colorful cultural exchanges, and rapid growth of personnel exchanges.
Russia is willing to work with China to make good preparations for the next high-level exchanges between the two countries, strengthen the synergy of development plans, and deepen cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, culture, sports and youth, Lavrov said.
Zhang Hong, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, believes the strategic consultation between Wang and Lavrov is of great importance as the visit paves the way for a possible meeting between the heads of state in October.
During the talks, Lavrov shared his views on the Ukraine crisis and applauded China’s position paper for accommodating the security concerns of all parties and being conducive to eliminating the root causes of the conflict. The Russian side, he said, is always open to negotiations and dialogue.
China is committed to the right approach of peace talks and will play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis in its own way, Wang said.
After the conflict between Russia and Ukraine broke out, the US-led Western camp has been demanding China to take sides. But China is a big independent country. It will uphold its national position and interests, and handle international relations as a responsible, major and independent country, Zhang told the Global Times.
A VOA report on Tuesday commented on Wang’s meeting with Sullivan before heading to Russia, claiming it reflects Beijing’s continued commitment to finding a balance between the two pairs of relations.
One of the most important relationships in the world today is the “great trilateral,” namely China, the US and Russia, Cui Heng, a scholar from the China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times. He said the Russia-Ukraine conflict has strengthened the importance of the “great trilateral” and it is inevitable for China to maintain communication with the US and Russia at the same time.
The relationship between China and Russia will not be affected by changes in the external environment, Yang Jin, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. Yang stressed that China-Russia cooperation is not directed against any third party.
Wang said that both China and Russia adhere to independent foreign policies, and their cooperation is neither targeting any third party, nor influenced by a third party, let alone subject to interference and provocation by any third party.
As major countries in the world and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia bear important responsibilities for maintaining global strategic stability and promoting world development and progress, Wang said.
In the face of rising unilateralism, hegemonism and bloc confrontations, China and Russia should adhere to true multilateralism. The two countries should conform to the trend of the times, shoulder responsibility as major countries, and fulfill their due international obligations, Wang noted.
