On April 29, 2016, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia, who was paying an official visit to China.
Wang Yi noted that President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin have defined bilateral relations as respective prior direction in diplomacy of the two countries, and attach great importance and make personal efforts to the progress of mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields. China is ready to, together with Russia, ensure fruitful results from President Vladimir Putin's visit to China this year so as to inject new impetus into the further development of bilateral relations.
Wang Yi noted that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the signing of China-Russia Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, as well as the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination. Over the past years, China and Russia have carried out close strategic coordination, and yielded important achievements from bilateral cooperation in all sectors by following the guidelines and principles stipulated in the Treaty and abiding by the spirit of equality, trust, mutual support, common prosperity and ever-lasting friendship. Bilateral relations, featuring increasing maturity, stability and solid foundation, can withstand the test of any vicissitudes in the international arena.
Wang Yi expressed that China and Russia should vigorously carry forward the ever-lasting friendship, increase support to each other, intensify strategic coordination and constantly push China-Russia relations for in-depth progress on a high-level basis. Both sides should push forward the docking of the "Belt and Road" initiative with the construction of the Eurasian Economic Union, deepen practical cooperation in energy, nuclear energy, high-speed railway, aircraft manufacturing, technological innovation and other fields, beef up people-to-people and cultural exchanges, expand the friendly atmosphere for bilateral relations, and enhance the friendship between the two peoples. Both sides should maintain close strategic communication on international and regional situation and boost cooperation in such international organizations as the UN, the G20, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
Sergey Lavrov said that with in-depth development, Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has scored unprecedented progress, which conforms to the common interests of the two peoples. Russia regards its relations with China as a priority in its diplomacy. On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the signing of Russia-China Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, the two sides should summarize the past and map out the future blueprint. Russia is ready to, together with China, make good preparations regarding President Vladimir Putin's visit to China, speed up the alignment of the "One Union and One Belt", deepen bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, investment and major projects, support bilateral people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and continuously increase strategic coordination and cooperation in international affairs to safeguard the authoritativeness of the international law. Sergey Lavrov congratulated China on the success of the 5th meeting of the CICA Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
Wang Yi briefed on China's principles and stance on the South China Sea issue, noting that countries outside the region should play a constructive role in safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea rather than muddling the waters. Sergey Lavrov expressed that Russia supports parties directly concerned to peacefully settle disputes over the territorial sovereignty and maritime interests of Nansha islands though negotiation and consultation, and opposes internationalization of the South China Sea issue.