Sino-Russian Relations: 2001: a Significant Year

The year 2001 has been a fruitful one for Sino-Russian relations, during which four events attracted worldwide attention.

First, Chinese President Jiang Zemin’s visit to Russia in July. During his visit, Jiang and Russian President Viladimir Putin signed the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation—the highlight of bilateral relations between the two countries. The treaty, initiated by Jiang during Putin’s visit to Beijing in July 2000, was designed to act as a legal document for the sound long-term development of China-Russia ties, and elicited a prompt and enthusiastic response from Putin.

Laying down in legal form the concept of peace under which China and Russia will always treat each other as friends and never as enemies, the treaty embodies the desire of the two peoples for being forever good neighbors and partners. A pragmatic document outlining bilateral relations in the 21st century, the treaty also contains the principles and guidelines of cooperation in political, economic and trade, scientific and technological, cultural, and international affairs. It was ratified by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China on October 27. The treaty not only received wide support from China and Russia, but also elicited a warm response from many other countries.

Second, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji’s visit to Russia in September. During his visit, Zhu held the sixth regular meeting with his Russian counterpart and they reached a consensus on the implementation of the good-neighborly treaty signed by the presidents of their respective countries, and the expansion of bilateral economic and trade cooperation. This was another important event, following Jiang’s visit two months earlier, as it broadened the scope of the Sino-Russian strategic and cooperative partnership. Also, it consolidated mutual political trust and promoted the all-round economic development of both countries.

During Zhu’s visit, the two sides signed seven agreements concerning China’s purchase of Russia-made airplanes, the feasibility study on joint laying of oil pipes and other projects, thus brightening prospects for further cooperation in various fields. It also indicated that the practical trade and economic cooperation between the two countries had already tided over a period of mutual adaptation and entered the “fast lane,” featured by their increased economic and trade cooperation in line with their sound political relations, and their perseverance toward mutual understanding and cooperation. In his talks with Russian leaders, Zhu emphasized that the two countries should view and deal with economic and trade cooperation from strategic and forward-looking perspectives, and that both sides should seriously analyze any problems that crop up and try to solve them as soon as possible. In this way, China and Russia will effectively fulfill the terms of their agreements.

Third, Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao’s visit to Russia October 27-28. During his meeting with Russian President Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and major international issues. They highly valued the treaty signed by Jiang Zemin and Putin in July and indicated that the major task facing both countries was to adopt effective measures to implement the treaty and boost the continuing development of bilateral relations in the new century.

Fourth, the establishment of a regional cooperative organization—the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), initiated by China and Russia in June. In the declaration on the establishment of SCO signed by the presidents of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the “Shanghai Spirit,” featuring “mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for different civilizations and common prosperity,” was first put forward, and a new idea of security beyond the Cold War mentality was proposed.

The declaration states that the SCO is aimed at strengthening mutual trust and good-neighborly and friendly relations among its members, encouraging their cooperation in politics, economy and trade, science and technology, culture, education, energy, transportation, environmental protection and other fields, and joining efforts in maintaining regional peace, security and stability. According to the SCO purpose, all its members should strictly abide by the principle of the UN Charter, respect each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, not interfere in each other’s internal affairs, not use or threaten to use force, promote equality and mutual benefit, solve all problems through consultations, and not seek military superiority over neighboring countries. The declaration said that in pursuit of the principles of non-alignment, not targeting a third country or region, and opening up to the rest of the world, the SCO is willing to carry out dialogues, exchanges and cooperation with other countries as well as other international and regional organizations.

The beginning of the new century witnessed encouraging development of Sino-Russian relations. Their strengthening good-neighborly and friendly relations and strategic cooperation conform to the common aspiration and basic interests of both Chinese and Russians, which will contribute to both regional and global peace, security, and stability. Indicating his high regard for the current bilateral ties, Putin commented that both countries have entered “the best and most fruitful period in history.” As the largest geographical neighbors and permenant members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia now shoulder more responsibilities for world peace and development. Promoting cooperation and a strategic partnership between the two countries will not only benefit their people, but will also help create a new world order in which democracy, justice, rationality and peace will be the theme.

(Beijing Review December 24, 2001)