China, Russia Highlight Security Cooperation

China and Russia share the mutual understanding that the bilateral cooperation and stronger military tie between them should be strengthened in order to check the US monopoly in international affairs such as the war against terrorism.

The China Daily reported on July 18, that the Chinese vice-Premier Quian Qichen stressed, “International security needs to be handled in a multi-lateral way, not in a unilateral way.” He made this remark at the meeting with visiting Russian Security Council Secretary Vladimir Rushailo who came on 17th to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Sino-Russia Border Treaty.

The vice-Premier Qichen added, “All matters regarding anti-terrorism should be resolved in accordance with the UN Charter and international customs. China and Russia, with wide-ranging common interests in security, should maintain constant contact and consultations in this regard, and should step up the discussion and cooperation with each other.”

The Russian Secretary replied, “Both of China and Russia are a victim of terrorism. Any efforts to deter terrorism should comply with the international guidelines and be approved by the UN.”

Both also agreed to strengthen the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in making anti-terrorist efforts. The SCO was born as an organization of 5 countries: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tadzhikistan. Last year, Uzbekistan joined the SCO. In last June, at the summit in Sangtpeterburk, the countries discussed the regional cooperation against terrorism.

The Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, at a meeting with the Russian Secretary, called for two countries’ stronger coordination in gradually changing unreasonable customs of the global economy, and decreasing instabilities. Two countries’ move is interpreted out of their concerns over the unilateral moves of US, which have been made in the name of anti-terrorism efforts, including the introduction of the strategy of initial attacking, expansion of anti-terrorism war to Iraq and strengthening of NATO’s role.

People’s Daily reported on 17th that Chinese President Jiang sent a letter to Russian President Putin to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Border Treaty. In that telegraph, President Jiang reportedly stressed the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

yshwang@donga.com