During a meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed strengthening bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation. Russia pledged its full support for China’s upcoming hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen, expressing commitment to deepening strategic coordination on global economic issues.
Wang Yi highlighted the productive discussions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this year, which have set a strategic direction for the ongoing development of their comprehensive partnership. Wang expressed confidence in achieving positive outcomes during China’s APEC host year with the support of Russia and other member economies, emphasizing its potential to enhance regional cooperation and promote economic growth.
The Chinese Foreign Minister also underscored the importance of cooperation within multilateral organizations such as the United Nations and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. He stressed the need for China and Russia to promote multilateralism and improve global governance through these platforms.
Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to supporting China’s role as APEC host and indicated Moscow’s willingness to further coordinate with Beijing through international forums, including the UN, G20, APEC, and BRICS. He noted that relations between the two countries have continued to expand under the leadership of their respective presidents, benefiting both nations’ fundamental interests.
The meeting also involved discussions on future high-level diplomatic engagements and addressing regional and international challenges. The dialogue between Wang and Lavrov demonstrated the ongoing efforts by China and Russia to enhance their strategic partnership and collaborate on global economic and political issues.