Daily Briefs


Photo : Xinhua

08 February 2022 | Tuesday | China Reader Evening Brief | Vol.1, No. 109

Joint statement by China and Russia: Three major areas of cooperation

During the recent meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, China and Russia agreed to work together on multipolarity, supporting the underdeveloped, regional security, and other mutual challenges.

IN FOCUS
By Avishka Ashok

Joint statement by China and Russia: Three major areas of cooperation 

On 4 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China to partake in the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics. President Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and discussed numerous issues of mutual interests such as the pandemic, regional security, increasing global challenges, multipolarity and economic globalization.

Prior to Putin’s visit, he published an article for Xinhua News Agency titled: “Russia and China: A Future-Oriented Strategic Partnership.” Putin emphasized the development of business ties between China and Russia, the drawbacks of unilateral sanctions, energy cooperation, space cooperation and environmental cooperation. The two countries also issued a joint statement on “the International Relations Entering a New Era and the Global Sustainable Development.”

The statement highlights the future partnership between China and Russia in the following three areas.
1. China and Russia will cooperate on the issue of multipolarity
The first part of the statement focuses on the US insistence on a “one-size-fits-all” kind of democracy, which China and Russia believe is unfeasible for countries with diverse demography and different political and economic challenges. The statement remarked that the Chinese and Russian form of democracy had evolved through the years and had adopted a system that was appreciated by the people of the two countries. Russia and China observed that the actions of the US and the West were dividing the international system on the basis of ideology and going back to the era of alliances and blocs, which is a dangerous development for global peace.

2. Russia and China will support the underdeveloped and developing states, with special emphasis on Eurasia.
The joint statement emphasizes the countries’ commitment towards developing and connecting the Eurasian region. Both countries share a mutual interest in developing the region as they aim to improve connectivity with the rest of the continents and especially in the neighbouring countries. The Eurasian Economic Union and the Belt and Road Initiative are aimed at achieving these goals of China and Russia. Other than Eurasia, they also agreed to work together on the sustainable development of the Arctic. They also extended their support to international development projects and urged other developed nations to support the developing and underdeveloped states by providing assistance, resources and actively work against imbalanced developments of states. The statement showcased the Kremlin’s willingness in supporting the China-led Global Development Initiative along with other initiatives of the United Nations.

In a bid to help the poorer countries rise from the clutches of the pandemic and the pandemic-induced economic and political challenges, China and Russia promised to increase the production of vaccines and effective and efficiently supply the vaccines to all needy countries.  Both countries agreed to enhance their cooperation on epidemiological science and prevent future outbreaks.

3. Russia stands firmly with China on the Taiwan issue.
The joint statement asserts and agrees to the “One-China” principle and strongly rejected the idea of Taiwanese independence. The Kremlin expressed its stand against the interference by external actors in the internal affairs of China. Both countries assented to mutual non-interference in each other’s affairs under any pretext. They will continue their cooperation on eradicating terrorism and anti-state activities. Through the joint statement, China and Russia also expressed their opinion against the expansion of NATO and urged the West to withdraw their cold war era attitude and respect the territorial sovereignty, independence of states and security concerns of every state. They raised their concerns regarding new alliances and groupings such as the AUKUS and advocated states to unitedly prevent violent activities against other states. Both countries appreciated the agreement of the P5 countries to not use nuclear weapons and promoted the peaceful and constructive use of nuclear science. They also affirmed their position on the release of the contaminated water from the Fukushima power plant and implored Japan to take the appropriate safety measures to ensure minimal ecological damage to the shared sea.

China’s perspective on the Sino-Russian joint statement
Beijing believes that China and Russia are entering an era of new international order with multipolarity at its core. The Chinese media reported that the joint statement showcased the similarity of thought amongst the Communist Party of China and the Kremlin. The two countries were able to consent to all core issues, which portrayed the strong and sturdy bilateral relations between China and Russia.

The statement touched upon all issues of regional and international importance and is evidence of the fact that the Sino-Russian friendship is bound to continue like it did in the past. The leadership in China and Russia believes that the friendly relations between the administrations as well as the community-to-community relations will act as a catalyst in propagating the engines off, not just mutual economic growth, but also global economic development. Despite the US lead in almost all areas of international politics and the hegemony of the West, the CPC and the Russian administration are certain that the friendly relations between the two countries and other like-minded states will enable large scale global development.

References:
“Joint Statement of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China on the International Relations Entering a New Era and the Global Sustainable Development • President of Russia,” Kremlin, 4 February 2022
“Full text of Putin's signed article for Xinhua,” Xinhua Net, 3 February 2022
“Unprecedented China-Russia ties to start a new era of intl relations not defined by US,” Global Times, 5 February 2022

IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Keerthana Nambiar 

INTERNAL
Foreign Ministry flaunts Uygur athlete in the opening ceremony
On 7 February, Global Times reported on the remarks made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on the decision of the authorities to choose a Uygur athlete to be a torchbearer during the opening ceremony. Zhao explained that China is a melting pot of ethnicities and the Uygur athlete at the opening ceremony proves China’s commitment towards the upliftment of all its people. He also refuted the narrative by the West on the alleged genocide in the Xinjiang Autonomous region. (“Uygur torchbearer at Winter Olympics proves China is a big family of various ethnic groups: FM,” Global Times, 7 February 2022)

REGIONAL
China’s ambassador to UN Security Council talks on sanctions on DPRK
On 7  February,  the Chinese envoy to UN Security Council Zhang Jun urged to adopt “prudent and responsible approach to sanctions” with regard to to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Zhang says that the sanctions “are not substitute for diplomatic efforts ” and explains that it will cause disruptions to the economy of the third world countries. The ambassador stressed that the unilateral sanctions are harmful and undermines the authority of the UN Security Council. (“Chinese envoy urges UN Security Council to take prudent, responsible approach to sanctions,” Xinhua Net, 8 February 2022)

British Office for Nuclear Regulation and Environment Agency approves China’s new nuclear reactor
On 8 February, China’s General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) announced that a third-generation nuclear reactor Hualong One designed by China is approved by the British Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the Environment Agency (EA). According to the joint statement made by ONR and EA, the reactor met the standards of Generic Design Corporation (GDA).  (“China's nuclear reactor wins approval for use in Britain,” Xinhua Net, 8 February 2022)

INTERNATIONAL
Chinese Embassy in the UK stands in favour of Argentina in the Malvinas island issue
On 8 February, the Chinese embassy in the UK affirmed the country’s stand on the issue of sovereignty of the Malvinas island and extended support to Argentina. The remarks were made by the embassy spokesperson after the British Foreign Minister Liz Truss tweeted and urged China to recognize the authority of the UK in the Malvinas island. The Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the Argentine President Alberto Fernandez and released a joint statement on the growing cooperation between the two countries. The statement by the embassy spokesperson said: “We hope the UK will respond positively to Argentina's request, start negotiations at an early date and find a peaceful, just and lasting solution in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.” (“China firmly supports Argentina's legitimate claim of sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands: Chinese Embassy in UK,” Global Times, 8 February 2022)

Chinese representative to the EU reaffirms the Sino-Russian joint statement 
On 8 February, the spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the European Union expressed China’s objection to the constant expansion of NATO. The Chinese representative reiterated China’s opinion on the subject and said: “Regional security should not be guaranteed by strengthening or expanding a military bloc.” The statements were made after the Secretary General of NATO brought up the joint statement made by China and Russia on the same issue. The Chinese mission strongly stood by its statements and urged the US and the West to stop indulging in its cold war era mentality by expanding the military alliance from that era. “Regional security not guaranteed by strengthening or expanding military bloc: Chinese Mission to the EU responds to NATO remarks,"  Global Times, 8 February 2022)

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson expresses opposition on the recent “America COMPETES Act of 2022”
On 7 February, China expressed its opposition towards the recent US bill which contains content related China. On 5 February, the Us House of Representatives passed on the bill titled “America COMPETES Act of 2022.” The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian revealed that the content was related to the issues in Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet. Zhao said that the bill is steeped in the US’ Cold-War mentality and exposes Washington’s “bullying practice.” he urged the US to discard the stop reviewing and pushing the Act. (“ China opposes U.S. bill with negative China content: spokesperson,” Xinhua Net, 7 February 2022)

China’s ambassador to UN responds to the remarks made by US ambassador to the UN
On 7 February, Global Times reported that China’s permanent representative to the united Nations Zhang Jun denounced the Us ambassador to the UN for making accusations against China. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Tomas-Greenfield in an interview with CNN made remarks on the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 , Xinjiang human rights issue and Taiwan issue. Zhang pointed out that China is successfully hosting the Games, and the remarks made regarding the human rights violations in Xinjiang are “irresponsible.” He further stressed that China will follow the one-China policy and should stop supporting the “Taiwan independence” forces. "Here is my advice to the US: Do not go further down the wrong path. It will not only make your own people suffer, but also create more trouble for other countries and the whole world." Zhang noted. (“China denounces US’ groundless accusations against China’s internal affairs, saying athletes should be in the spotlight of the Games,” Global Times, 7 February 2022)

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