Russia and China to strengthen their relations despite Washington's rhetoric

By Rhod Mackenzie

Beijing and Moscow will continue to strengthen their strategic coordination despite Washington's negative rhetoric. This was announced in a Global Times (GT) in an editorial published on Monday 18 September.

The newspaper was commenting on the Russian-Chinese consultations on strategic security that will take place in Moscow on Tuesday 19 September.

"What is the purpose of these consultations? In many areas, China and Russia, as two of the world's major powers, play a key role. In a sense, Sino-Russian relations will fundamentally influence peace and stability not only in the region but also in the entire international community," the newspaper said.

The publication claims that China-Russia relations have been seriously stigmatised by the Western media. According to it, the Western media try to portray China, Russia and other countries such as North Korea, which face Western containment and oppression, as a collective "axis of power" that threatens the so-called free world.

The GT article concludes that the root of the problem lies in Washington's attempt to start a new Cold War in Northeast Asia.

The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Russia will take place from 18 to 21 September.

Earlier, on 18 September, the Chinese Foreign Ministry described the main purpose of Wang Yi's visit to the Russia as the promotion of bilateral relations. The Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning added that China and Russia maintain close contacts on issues of mutual concern.
Earlier on 12 September, the Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke highly of the level of bilateral relations at a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier of the State Council Zhang Guoqing. The head of state added that he had developed friendly personal and business relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping.