- How did the history of the creation of the Russian-Chinese joint declaration on a multipolar world and the formation of a new international order begin?

What was the starting point?

How long did Russia and China go towards the concept of multipolarity?

— By the mid-90s of the 20th century, specialists in international relations in Russia and China had an understanding that the era of democratization of international politics was coming in line with the formation of a multipolar world order.

The chief architect of the domestic concept of a multipolar world is E.M.

Primakov, who took over in January 1996 as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Thanks to him, the term "multipolarity" has firmly entered the toolkit of Russian foreign policy.

It was also actively used in Russian-Chinese bilateral documents.

By this point, ties between Russia and China had entered a period of intense development.

In 1996, the two countries announced the formation of relations of equal and trusting cooperation aimed at strategic interaction in the 21st century.

The main territorial issues between Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, on the one hand, and China, on the other, have been settled, important agreements have been reached on confidence-building measures and mutual reduction of armed forces in the border area (on their basis, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will arise in the future).

The main thing is that Moscow and Beijing have come to the conclusion that our countries' approaches to international relations are close or coincide.

As a result, in 1997, an agreement was reached with the Chinese partners on the preparation of a joint document on the basic approaches of Russia and China to the modern system of international relations.

  • Legion Media

  • © Aleks Taurus

The experience of developing Russian-Chinese cooperation has confirmed that the assessments laid down in the Joint Declaration on a Multipolar World and the Formation of a New International Order 25 years ago have successfully stood the test of time and remain relevant.

Among the principles formulated then are the recognition of the central place and role of the UN in world affairs, the rejection of reliance on power politics, the desire for dialogue and equal cooperation, the need to build a peaceful, stable, fair and rational international political and economic order based on generally accepted norms of international law. .

— Why did Russia choose China as its partner?

- In the wording "Russia has chosen China", a common mistake is visible - a reference to the opportunism, the situational nature of the decisions made.

Meanwhile, in our case, no one chose anyone, the rapprochement of the two countries is a process objectively determined even by the fact that our common border stretches for more than 4 thousand km.

Russia and China are neighbors with a history of relations dating back several hundred years.

In different eras, political, trade, economic, humanitarian, religious and military ties developed between us.

There were also difficult times, but the conflicts were never large-scale.

Being states with a long history, societies with a unique social structure and political culture, despite all the differences, Russia and China learned to live side by side, to understand and respect each other.

Modern Russian-Chinese relations are the best in history.

This is an alloy of accumulated experience of interstate and human communication.

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping

  • AP

  • © Alexei Druzhinin / Sputnik

Today, bilateral cooperation continues to develop dynamically, demonstrating its stability to the whole world.

Moscow clearly understands that deepening cooperation with Beijing is in the national interest and therefore enjoys broad public support.

— What difficulties existed on the way to multipolarity?

— At present, the process of formation of a democratic multipolar world order continues.

The main obstacle to the realization of its potential is the desire of the United States and the Western community led by it to secure exclusive, exclusive advantages and rights in the world system.

In this logic, the West is trying to impose on other countries the model of a unipolar world under the guise of "order based on rules."


We believe that one of the elements of such a destructive line is the imposition of unilateral economic sanctions and the adoption of other illegal coercive measures against sovereign states.

Gangster in essence, the arrest of Russian gold and foreign exchange reserves in Western countries has significantly undermined confidence in the global financial system based on the dominance of the US dollar.

We believe that serious changes are coming in this area - the formation of alternative banking and trade and logistics mechanisms has recently accelerated.

This trend will only get stronger.

We see a negative charge in the campaign launched by Washington to draw new dividing lines in world politics by creating all sorts of “democratic” alliances and coalitions that are being formed around the UN to counter the so-called authoritarian regimes.

Such recurrences of bloc politics and the Cold War mentality make it difficult to unite the international community in developing responses to common challenges: ensuring sustainable development, food and energy security, combating international terrorism and cross-border crime, pandemics and natural disasters.

— What are the basic principles of a multipolar world?

- The main meaning of multipolarity is to ensure the equality of states, the recognition by all members of the international community of the need to respect each other's interests.

It is this simple truth that lies at the foundation of the UN Charter.

Russia is seeking reaffirmation by all members of the world organization of their adherence to these fundamental principles.

  • United Nations, New York

  • AP

  • © Adam Rountree

— Why does the US view multipolarity as a serious strategic challenge?

- Multipolarity is contrary to the American worldview based on the unconditional hegemony of the United States.

Barack Obama has been promoting the thesis of his belief in American exceptionalism since 2009, Donald Trump has been talking about the need to make America great again.

The Joe Biden administration is also not without ideological prejudices, bringing back the concept of “democracy promotion” into international politics.

Washington is essentially trying to preserve those elements of the world order that serve its own interests, often while ignoring its obligations under international law.

The emergence of new centers of political influence capable of pursuing an independent course in foreign policy and establishing multi-profile cooperation among themselves does not fit into the American-centric picture of the world and is regarded as a threat to Washington's dominance.

— Can the BRICS countries become the core of a multipolar world?

“They have actually become one.

It is important that the BRICS countries, as well as many other states, are focused on their own development and constructive international cooperation.

The vast majority of world players do not succumb to persuasion to impose sanctions against Russia, or at least subject us to open criticism.


Russia will continue to promote on the world stage the principles of the sovereign equality of states, non-interference in internal affairs and international cooperation based on a balance of interests.

To this end, we will continue to actively cooperate with like-minded people from the BRICS, the CSTO, the SCO, and other friends and partners.  

— What advantages do countries get if they choose a multipolar world order?

- First of all, they get the opportunity to preserve their cultural and civilizational identity, to build their domestic and foreign policy based on the interests of their own people.

After all, this is true freedom and independence.

States that do not want to follow someone else's instructions may not be integrated into the neoliberal agenda and remain committed to traditional spiritual and moral values ​​developed by mankind over millennia.

— What place will the US take in a multipolar world?

- The future role will be determined primarily by the degree of their own readiness to conduct a mutually respectful, equal and constructive dialogue with international partners, to take into account the diversity and legitimacy of the national interests of all states.  

The place of the USA in the multipolar world also depends on economic factors.

Now Washington is fiercely clinging to those international institutions that allow it to maintain its own dominance, and at the same time blocking the activities of those forums where its former, seemingly unshakable positions are weakening against the background of the growing influence of new rapidly developing centers.

One of the key issues is the future role of the US dollar in the global financial system.

Its privileged position is largely due to the convenience of the infrastructure built for it, the lack of full-fledged alternatives and the banal inertia of the thinking of market participants.

However, the bandit arrest of a part of Russian foreign exchange reserves placed in US banks has become a powerful signal to all governments of the world about the lack of guarantees for the safety of funds stored in American currency, undermining its long-term credibility.

— Can we now say with certainty that after 25 years the developing countries have grown stronger and now the concept of a multipolar world is beginning to operate?

- In this context, the situation with the recent vote at the UN General Assembly for the suspension of Russia's membership in the UN Human Rights Council is eloquent.

This initiative of the West was not supported by the majority, and many admit that they were forced to vote in the way the Westerners needed.

This and other examples mentioned earlier point to the progressive formation of a more democratic and fair multipolar world order.

“Now the world is in a difficult situation.

Is it related to the process of transition from one system to another?

- Of course, the system of international relations is undergoing a period of profound transformation.

The unipolar world was a thing of the past long before the events in Ukraine.

New centers of power in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East are playing an increasingly prominent role in shaping the global agenda, showing a willingness to defend their interests, and demanding respect for their own path of development.

This alignment does not suit the United States and other Western countries.

They are not ready to give up their privileged position on the world stage and are trying to stop or slow down the process of democratization of international relations.

The current disagreements between Russia and the United States and Europe arose as a result of the fact that for a long time the security interests of our country were simply ignored.

The Westerners, step by step, destroyed the arms control mechanisms created by the labors of entire generations of negotiators.

This is a prime example of why international tension has risen to an unacceptable level.

We believe that it is in everyone's interests to return to a dialogue on the framework of indivisible European security and to develop rules for peaceful coexistence based on the principle of respect for the legitimate interests of all key states.