Treaty will help maintain regional security

July 16 marked the 20th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. And China and Russia agreed on the extension of the treaty in June, marking a deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era.

First, with the extension of the treaty, Sino-Russian comprehensive cooperation has been raised to a higher level. The decision has also made the idea of “ever-lasting friendship and never becoming enemies” a reality and advanced the “21st-century strategic partnership of coordination” in a pragmatic fashion, further deepening mutual trust and win-win cooperation for mutual development.

Given its emphasis on ever-lasting friendship and never becoming enemies, the Sino-Russian partnership, different from an alliance, transcends bilateral differences in ideology. Indeed, the treaty is a milestone in China-Russia relations.

Second, the principle of non-alignment, non-confrontation and not targeting any country is an apt example of a new type of international relations. The principle is in line with the trend of globalization, multilateralism, and fair and just international relations. It promotes a new model of international relations with mutual trust and win-win cooperation at the core.

Contrary to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the treaty is a call to Western countries to abandon their Cold-War mentality and policy of either alliance or confrontation.

The treaty also includes coordination in international conflict prevention as well as political solutions to strengthen cooperation in the United Nations, the UN Security Council and UN special agencies, and promote the UN Charter and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Third, the treaty is a shift away from the world order that has been dominated by one country. The China-Russia friendship and cooperation treaty abides by the principles and norms of international law, opposes interference in the internal affairs of any sovereign state, and is aimed at maintaining global peace and stability, and facilitating cooperation and development.

But not targeting other countries and non-alignment do not mean China and

Russia will not respond to any aggressions by a third country and not cooperate to end hegemonism and power politics in international relations. The treaty is particularly important because it will prevent some hegemon from forcing China and Russia to accept its unilateral decisions in matters of global importance.

Fourth, the treaty will help strengthen the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and contribute to regional peace and stability. That China and Russia will continue their cooperation to combat nontraditional security threats means they will work together to fight terrorism, separatism, extremism and transnational crimes beyond their respective borders and the SCO will be in a better position to safeguard regional security. Hence, the treaty goes beyond the bilateral scope and will play a key role in maintaining regional and world peace, and strengthening regional security.

China and Russia, together with other SCO member states, will help synergize the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative with the development policies of different countries and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

And fifth, the treaty will also benefit China’s reunification, because Russia acknowledges that there is only one China, the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. Russia also supports the efforts made by the Chinese government to realize national reunification.

Also, China and Russia can now better coordinate their actions in the event of a security threat because, according to the treaty, the two sides shall immediately contact and consult each other if either faces a threat from external forces. As such, the treaty lays a solid foundation for the development of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, which was signed in June 2019.

During their conversation on the phone on June 28, the leaders of the two countries agreed that Sino-Russian friendship can better protect and serve their countries’ core interests. Which means the China-Russia relationship is mature, stable, and solid and can withstand the test of any challenge.

Thanks to mutual support, the two sides can promote fairness and justice in international relations. With the world facing multiple crises, closer China-Russia cooperation will not only help improve international relations, but also give shape to a new type of major country relationship.

The author is a researcher at the China Center for Contemporary World Studies.

MA XUEJING / CHINA DAILY