China Hails Ties With Russia Aimed at Maintaining World Balance of Power

Cooperation between Russia and China is necessary to maintain the balance of power in the world, China's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cheng Guoping said Monday.

The high-ranking Chinese diplomat said that Russian-Chinese relations had reached a new level of development and the forthcoming visit of Xi Jinping to Moscow would facilitate further cooperation between Beijing and Moscow. The Chinese president will pay a three-day visit to Moscow on May 8-10, attending the Victory Day Parade on May 9 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Cooperation and coordination between China and Russia are needed to maintain the international balance of power and preserve the post-war world order. The participation of the leaders of the two countries in mutual events dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory in World War II indicates that Russia and China, as the largest countries in the world and members of the United Nations, intend to maintain international order."

According to the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, Xi Jinping plans to hold talks with Vladimir Putin and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, as well as with WWII veterans, Russian experts working in China and journalists. He will also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow.

It is expected that during Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow, Russia and China will sign a number of agreements in the energy, aviation, space and finance sectors. In addition, Moscow and Beijing will discuss possibilities of further cooperation, including the Silk Road project.

Cheng Guoping added that a "good working relationship" and "personal friendship" between President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin are "an important political basis for bilateral relations."