- What is the significance of the signing by Russia and China in 1997 of the “Joint Declaration on a Multipolar World and the Formation of a New International Order”?
— In the 1990s, after the end of the Cold War, international relations underwent a profound transformation.
Under the conditions of the world domination of one country, the imbalance of power in the international arena and the chaotic world order, hegemonism and power politics began to rampage, various myths about the threats of a particular country and the theory of a clash of civilizations appeared one after another, which damages peace and stability in everything the world.
As permanent members of the UN Security Council and responsible world powers, China and Russia, based on their "relationship of strategic and trusting cooperation aimed at strategic interaction in the 21st century", in April 1997 based on a comprehensive synthesis of historical experience and understanding of the general trends of world development signed the Joint Declaration on a Multipolar World and the Formation of a New International Order.
The parties unanimously noted that the construction of a peaceful, stable, just and rational new world order is due to the urgent demand of the era and the natural course of history.
The signing by Russia and China in 1997 of the "Joint Declaration on a Multipolar World and the Formation of a New International Order"
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© Vladimir Rodionov
The inadmissibility of attempts by any country to seek hegemony, pursue a policy from a position of strength and monopolize international affairs, as well as the need to put an end to the Cold War mentality and bloc politics, and strengthen the role of the United Nations and its Security Council, was emphasized.
It was noted that China and Russia would make their worthy contribution to strengthening world peace and common efforts for the progressive development of mankind.
The joint declaration, having caused a wide response and active support from the international community, has strengthened global trends towards the formation of a multipolar world and the democratization of international relations.
Over the past 25 years, the global environment has undergone profound transformations: unilateralism, the Cold War mentality and power politics have become the main obstacles to multipolarity, while the economic recession, unresolved pain points and the wave of deglobalization have become the main challenges for the system of global governance.
The EU and NATO are expanding eastward, and the United States is trying by all means to maintain world domination by bombing Yugoslavia, military intervention in Afghanistan and the introduction of troops into Iraq.
Having sowed chaos in the Middle East, the United States continues to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, provoke "color revolutions" and draw dividing lines on an ideological basis, and put strategic pressure on China and Russia.
Against this background, multilateralism is facing serious challenges, which fully confirms the relevance of the very first calls to oppose hegemonism and the politics of force, recorded in the joint declaration adopted by China and Russia 25 years ago on the basis of an accurate analysis of the development of the international situation.
Ideals do not change in times of stability or crisis, while beliefs remain the same in both smooth and thorny paths.
Over the past 25 years, China and Russia, constantly enriching the joint declaration with new concepts and ideas, have made great efforts to form a multipolar world and democratize international relations, opposed hegemonism and power politics.
Thanks to the joint declaration, a trend towards the growth of multipolarity has arisen and is continuously deepening.
Emerging market and developing countries are rising in groups, their representation and influence in international affairs and global governance is growing.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the BRICS and G20 associations were created, which uphold the principles of multilateralism, carry out fruitful international cooperation and become an important force in international and regional affairs.
Hegemonism is becoming less and less in demand, and power politics are increasingly rejected.
The world needs justice, not hegemony.
The formation of a multipolar world meets the general aspirations of the international community and reflects the trend of world development.
How does China see multipolarity and the new world order?
“Now, in the light of an unprecedented pandemic and changes not seen in the last 100 years, the world is going through a period of upheaval and transformation.
The factors of instability and unpredictability are noticeably increasing.
Humanity shares a common destiny, no country can defend itself alone.
The politics of force and the unilateral approach only exacerbate crises.
The only way to solve the problems that have arisen and overcome the challenges is a multilateral approach and assistance in building the Community of a Common Destiny for Humanity.
As Chinese President Xi Jinping noted, “The essence of the multilateral approach is to seek collective answers to global problems through consultations and the ability to jointly control the fate of the world.
One or more countries should not be allowed to impose their own rules on all others and allow individual countries to "order the music" to the "melody" of one-sidedness.
Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui
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© Vladimir Trefilov
In order to contribute to the formation of a multipolar world and the democratization of international relations, as well as to put into practice true multilateralism, it is necessary to focus on the following areas.
The first is to uphold the purposes of the UN Charter, uphold the international system, which is based on the UN, and take a non-ideological approach to promoting multilateralism based on the principles of openness and equality.
The choice should always be clear and unambiguous, in favor of openness and inclusiveness, respect for international law, consultations and cooperation, moving with the times instead of closeness and xenophobia, striving for one's own domination, confrontation and confrontation, contentment with past accomplishments.
Second, we need to fight for the common good of all mankind, thinking about the whole world.
China adheres to the path of peaceful development, advocates the establishment of a Community with a Common Destiny for Humanity, and promotes the concept of global governance based on the principles of "joint consultation, joint construction and sharing."
China is working hard to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and has achieved the goal of reducing poverty ten years ahead of schedule.
Great efforts are directed towards the high-quality implementation of the One Belt, One Road initiative, which gives a powerful impetus to global development.
As part of the fight against the pandemic, China has initiated large-scale humanitarian operations to provide vaccines to developing countries as a global public good, which has supported the joint efforts in the fight against COVID-19.
Third, to uphold international justice and equality, to promote the protection of peace and security throughout the world.
China has always been committed to the political solution of hotspots and has participated in more than 30 UN peacekeeping operations to date, making it the largest contributor of peacekeepers among the permanent members of the Security Council.
China strongly opposes hegemonism, power politics, the Cold War mentality and the zero-sum game.
China strongly advocates a new concept of common, comprehensive, joint and sustainable security.
At the Boao Forum for Asia a few days ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the global security initiative for the first time, systematically outlining the solution to world security problems, which received a positive response from the international community.
Embassy of China
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© Evgeniya Novozhenina
Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed, "China will always hold high the banner of multilateralism and continue to guard global peace, contribute to international development, safeguard the international order and provide public goods."
The path to a multipolar world is winding.
China will continue to firmly stand on the right side of history and promote the progressive development of mankind, continue to provide new opportunities to the world by discovering new potential for its own development, and make more and more contributions to promote the formation of the Community of Common Destiny for Humanity and build a more beautiful world.
- How would you assess the Chinese-Russian cooperation on the formation of a multipolar world and world order?
Under the strategic leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President V.V.
Putin, relations between our countries entered the best period of history, became the most successful interstate relations since the end of the Cold War, which are unparalleled in terms of mutual understanding and interaction, as well as in terms of strategic value.
Sino-Russian strategic cooperation is an important force in shaping a multipolar world and democratizing international relations.
China and Russia jointly defend an international system based on the United Nations and an international order based on international law.
The heads of the two states repeatedly adopted political documents on the international situation, strategic stability and topical issues, where the position was fixed on opposing the world order based on rules, hegemonic intimidation and unilateralism, the determination to resist unilateral sanctions and support for the UN as a central platform that allows everyone to countries of the world together to ensure common security, gain access to the achievements of world development and collectively determine the future of our planet.
China and Russia firmly uphold the results of World War II and strongly oppose attempts to falsify the history of the Great Victory.
As Chinese President Xi Jinping said during a telephone conversation with Russian President V.V.
Putin, “China and Russia have a special mission to maintain peace and security throughout the world, promote the development and progress of mankind;
China is ready to cooperate with the Russian side to firmly defend the results of the Second World War and international justice, and uphold and implement multilateralism.”
China and Russia continue to deepen strategic interaction both on a bilateral basis and in multilateral structures, and advocate multipolarity.
The parties are building up mutual strategic support, deepening the convergence of interests, expanding the potential of bilateral relations and contributing to the construction of a new type of international relations and the Community of a Common Destiny for Humanity.
The parties also carry out close coordination and interaction within the framework of the United Nations and in such multilateral structures as the SCO, BRICS, China-Russia-India, China-Russia-Mongolia.
And such formulations as “building a multipolar world order” and “building a multipolar international system” have already been recorded many times in the political documents of the SCO and BRICS.
BRICS Summit
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© Alexey Druzhinin
China and Russia are working together to maintain peace and stability around the world and resist outside interference.
China and Russia are determined to deepen strategic back-to-back cooperation and shoulder to shoulder to uphold international justice and equality.
This strategic choice has far-reaching implications not only for China and Russia, but for the entire world.
So it was and is, and so it will be forever.
The two sides are always committed to the principles of mutual support, resolutely support each other in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests, effectively combat foreign interference and threats to regional security, firmly oppose color revolutions, and maintain international strategic stability.
In February of this year, during the visit of the President of the Russian Federation V.V.
Putin to China hosted the “Olympic Summit” at the highest level, following which the “Joint Statement on International Relations Entering a New Era and Global Sustainable Development” was adopted.
This document emphasized that "China and Russia intend to strictly adhere to moral principles and responsibility, promote multipolarity and promote the democratization of international relations, jointly build an even more prosperous, stable and just world, and jointly create a new type of international relations."
We will strictly implement the agreements between the heads of the two states, stand shoulder to shoulder, provide each other with reliable support, generate more ideas together and make a great contribution to world development.
The greatest truth is extremely simple: practical action is the most important thing.
In today's world, the situation is far from calm, great changes are unfolding before us, unseen in a century.
No matter what the international turbulence may be, China and Russia will maintain their strategic resolve and relentlessly promote the formation of a multipolar world and the democratization of international relations.
Chairman Xi Jinping noted, "We cannot give up our dreams because the reality is complex, and we cannot give up our aspirations because our ideals are far away."
I am sure that Chinese-Russian cooperation will not only bring benefits and prosperity to our peoples, but will also contribute to peace, stability and development throughout the world.
As long as the international community adheres to the concept of the Community with a Common Destiny for Humanity, adheres to the principle of multilateralism and follows the path of solidarity and cooperation, we will be able to join forces to solve various global problems and build an open, inclusive and beautiful world where lasting peace and universal security reign and shared prosperity.