The partnership between Russia and China is rock-solid, that's how Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi characterized relations between Moscow and Beijing during his annual press conference. Beijing is also now holding the National People's Congress, which is the Chinese national legislature.
Here's our resident correspondent, Anastasiya Sahovskaya, with the details.
When considering the future, does China believe in Russian wisdom? Wang Yi was one of the first who answered this question. The Foreign Ministry of China realizes how important the upcoming elections are for our country, and they hope that Russians will make the right decision once more.
Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of China: "We noted that President Putin helped the country make an important leap in development and he has wide support. We believe that the Russian people will make the right decision once more".
In regards to Western sanctions; "the Russians can resist any pressure". When it comes to the prospects of relations with the East, there can be no doubts. Beijing is absolutely sure about the future development of relations with Moscow in all areas. This answer by China's leading diplomat is both accurate and figurative.
Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of China: "Relations between Russia and China are rock-solid. I ask to pass this to our Russian friends: The only limit in the development of our relations is the sky. There is always a way to make them better".
The microphone was passed to the Russian media twice, an unspoken badge of honor, considering the amount of those who wanted to ask a question, and the amount of media coverage. 1,800 foreign reporters from dozens of countries, and it's clear that some countries are mentioned here especially frequently. The distinctive feature of this session, which drew the attention of the media, is that in most of the briefings, the relations with Russia are mentioned. And this press conference was not an exception.
Russia was mentioned in the discussion of the One Belt One Road Initiative, under which the strategy for the next five years is being developed now, and the SCO summit, which China is holding this summer. In both cases, there are golden rules of diplomacy: mutual trust, mutual benefit, and mutual interests, as Wang Yi emphasized. China also expects effective competition with the United States, but Trump's militant statements sound like a declaration of war, saying that America is, quote: "being robbed," and declaring that China is Washington's biggest problem in trade.
Christy Nanidnm, reporter (Australia): "The question about relations between China and the USA is very interesting, taking into account the recent US statements about the trade war".
Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of China: "It's wrong to choose the path of trade wars in the era of globalization. It will harm all the parties. And China will surely take justified and necessary measures in response. We are still hoping that both parties will manage to establish a calm, constructive dialogue on equal terms, and find mutually beneficial solutions".
China is not going to force the USA from the global arena, something the minister emphasized twice. According to him, the theory about some kind of Chinese threat became obsolete. China rejects any use of force and any attempts to mettle in its affairs. The country is determined to following its own path, especially in foreign affairs, by forming unanimous associations with other countries.
Anastasiya Sahovskaya, Mihail Artuhin, Vesti office in Beijing.
