The foreign ministers of China and Russia had a phone conversation, and at a critical moment, the international | issue | foreign minister

Reprinted from the WeChat official account Niu Danqin, author Niu Danqin

At a critical moment, the foreign ministers of China and Russia had a phone conversation.

If I'm not mistaken, this is also the first phone call between Wang Yi and Lavrov after he takes office as Foreign Minister again.

The first time in life always has a special meaning. For the first time in diplomacy, some unusual messages were conveyed.

The biggest highlight, what did the two of them talk about?

Looking at the press release from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is not long and only about 700 words long. It is divided into four paragraphs: two paragraphs from Wang Yi, one paragraph from Lavrov, and finally one paragraph from both sides regarding the Ukrainian crisis.

But the amount of information is still very large. A few angles.

Firstly, how is the relationship between China and Russia?

Wang Yi's answer is: very good.

He said this to Lavrov: It has been proven that China and Russia are trustworthy and reliable good friends and partners.

What facts?

He said that since the visit of China's top leader to Russia in March this year, new progress has been made in strategic and practical cooperation between the two countries. The bilateral trade volume has reached a new high, energy cooperation is steadily progressing, and personnel exchanges are rapidly recovering.

This has also been recognized by Lavrov, who told Wang Yi that the Russian side is willing to work together with China to implement the important achievements of this year's Chinese leader's visit to Russia, strengthen strategic coordination, deepen practical cooperation, and promote new achievements in bilateral relations.

Of course, is there a problem?

I think there is also some.

Not long ago, the Chinese Embassy in Russia was unresponsive, citing five Chinese citizens who were blocked from entering Russia and had their tourist visas cancelled or refused entry as an example, pointing out that Russia's barbaric and excessive law enforcement actions seriously damaged the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens.

I believe this is an isolated case, and the foreign ministers of both countries may not mention it either. But it also indicates one thing, such a thing will cause harm to the relationship between the two peoples.

Details determine success or failure. By setting a clear direction and valuing minor issues, China Russia relations can develop faster and better. In Lavrov's words, "continuously achieve new results.".

In Wang Yi's words, the most important task for China and Russia at present is to continue to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia to continue to maintain high-level development in the new era.

Secondly, the BRICS countries need to expand.

Soon, South Africa will hold the BRICS summit, which is also the first offline BRICS summit in three years after the pandemic.

The world is eye-catching and has a profound impact.

Wang Yi said to Lavrov, "The BRICS mechanism is keeping up with the trend of the times, demonstrating abundant vitality. More than 20 countries have expressed their desire to join, and the process of expanding membership is inevitable and imperative.".

Then, he said: China is willing to work with its BRICS partners, including Russia, to support South Africa in hosting the upcoming BRICS summit and promote the healthy and vigorous development of the BRICS mechanism.

What does it mean?

The meaning is very clear.

1. The BRICS mechanism is definitely expanding its membership.

More than 20 countries want to join, and the BRICS is full of vitality.

3. China and Russia should work together to support South Africa in hosting this summit.

4. India and Brazil, we also need to support them together.

Before these two sentences, Wang Yi also said the following: on the international and multilateral stage, China and Russia continue to closely cooperate strategically, promote the process of world multipolarity and democratization of international relations, and uphold the basic norms of international relations. This is the international responsibility that China and Russia should undertake, and it is also the essence of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia.

This is an international responsibility and also a due obligation.

Lavrov also had feelings of concern and told Wang Yi that Russia is willing to continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with China under multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, BRICS countries, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, oppose hegemony, resist unilateral actions, promote the democratization process of international relations, and uphold international fairness and justice.

Oppose hegemony and resist unilateralism.

Who is hegemonic? Who is on one side?

You understand.

Thirdly, what about the crisis in Ukraine?

It's impossible not to talk about the Ukrainian crisis on the phone with the foreign ministers of China and Russia.

The outside world also noticed that a few days ago, Saudi Arabia led an international conference on Ukraine. The Chinese side also sent envoy Li Hui to participate.

The Ukrainian side is very pleased with China's move. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba stated that this is a "super breakthrough" and a "historic victory".

The outside world also noticed that Ukraine was invited to this meeting, but Russia was not invited. Russian President's press secretary Peskov stated that the Russian side "closely monitors" this meeting and any attempt to promote peace should be respected. But he also pointed out that there are currently no prerequisites for a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian issue.

In a phone call with Lavrov, Wang Yi emphasized that on the issue of the Ukraine crisis, China will uphold an independent and fair position in any international multilateral situation, issue an objective and rational voice, actively promote peace talks, and strive to seek political solutions.

Russia, please rest assured that in any international multilateral situation, China upholds an independent and just position.

Lavrov stated that the Russian side highly agrees with China's position paper on political resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, appreciates and welcomes China's constructive role in this regard.

That is to say, China's neutral attitude and active efforts to promote peace talks have been respected by Russia and Ukraine, and both welcome China's constructive role.

I know that some Western countries definitely have opinions on China's attitude. But it's okay, China is not the West. This mutual respect between Russia and Ukraine, looking around the world, is quite difficult.

This also provides more favorable conditions for continuing to promote peace talks.

What does a phone call at a critical moment indicate?

I always feel that it demonstrates the close relationship between China and Russia, the consensus on major international issues, and China's active efforts in promoting peace talks.

Of course, no matter how close the relationship between China and Russia is, it is not the entirety of the diplomacy between the two countries. Russia has just held the Russia Africa Summit, with multiple African leaders present. Before making a phone call to Lavrov, Wang Yi has also made phone calls to the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, and the Foreign Affairs Director of the European Union in the past few days.

Speaking of which, the EU's High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Borrell, has always wanted to visit China, but for various reasons, it has been repeatedly postponed. During this phone call with Borrell, Wang Yi also made it clear that the Chinese side welcomes the visit of Borrell's senior representative to China this autumn and the holding of strategic dialogue.

Please note: This autumn.

August 8th is already the beginning of autumn. The extraordinary year of 2023 has entered autumn.