CHINESE president Xi Jinping’s recent state visit to Russia upon the invitation of president Vladimir Putin has attracted much international attention. It was a political choice made by president Xi after careful consideration to select Russia as his first destination of overseas visit in a new term of office. This journey of friendship, cooperation and peace demonstrates China’s inevitable role as a responsible major country.

First, it is a strategic choice China has made on the basis of an independent foreign policy of peace to consolidate and well develop China-Russia relations. China and Russia are amicable neighbours sharing a long border. The two countries respect and trust each other, and promote respective development and rejuvenation. The high-level mutual trust between the two heads of state has provided the betterment of China-Russia relations with strategic guidance and a strong political guarantee. During this visit, president Xi and president Putin signed two joint statements, one on deepening the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era, another on pre-2030 development plan on priorities in China-Russia economic cooperation. The two sides also signed bilateral cooperation documents in the areas of agriculture, forestry, basic science, market regulation, the media and more. The two sides reaffirmed that they will continue to support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests, and jointly resist attempts by external forces to interfere in internal affairs.

Second, China and Russia set a good example for a new model of major-country relations. China-Russia relations is committed to no-alliance, no-confrontation and not targeting any third party, but strives to safeguard international fairness and justice. History has attested that China and Russia have found a right path of state-to-state interactions, which is essential for the relationship to stand the test of changing international circumstances. The world has entered a period of turbulence and changes when hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism rampage, and the Cold War mentality and bloc politics resurface. Against this backdrop, China and Russia, both major countries in the world and permanent member states of the United Nations Security Council, commit themselves to strengthen strategic communication and coordination, and to jointly reject the Cold War mentality, which infuses energy to promoting a multi-polar world and greater democracy in international relations.

Third, China plays an increasingly significant and constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. Since the outbreak of the crisis, China has taken an objective and impartial position and actively promoted peace talks. The document titled ‘China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis’ released recently takes into account the legitimate concerns of all parties, and has been widely welcomed and recognised by the international community, including Russia and Ukraine. During this visit, president Xi had an in-depth and candid exchange with president Putin and promoted the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis through equal-footed, rational and results-oriented dialogue and consultation. In the joint statement signed by the two heads of state, it is stressed again that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be observed and international law must be respected. The Russian side reaffirmed its commitment to the resumption of peace talks as soon as possible and welcomed China’s willingness to play a positive role in the political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

The evolution of the international situation has proven once again that only in sharing weal and woe and helping each other in solidarity and coordination will every country likely to resolve global challenges facing humanity. Ten years ago, when president Xi took office as Chinese president, he visited Russia as the very first overseas destination, just like what happened recently. In his speech delivered at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations during that visit in 2013, president Xi promoted for the first time the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind. To make this vision come true, president Xi has successively put forward a host of initiatives and proposals over the past decade, including the Belt and Road Initiative, the common values of humanity, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilisation Initiative, which have been widely welcomed and supported by the international community.

Whether China’s proposals are good or not, the Bangladeshi people have the say. Bangladesh is the first country in South Asia to join the BRI. A series of mega-projects improving the country’s infrastructure with deep engagement of China has significantly boosted the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. The Global Development Initiative and other initiatives further present even more opportunities for deepening the practical and amicable cooperation between China and Bangladesh.

When pursuing the Chinese Modernisation in the days to come, China keeps committed to peaceful development. China stands with the UN-centred international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Together with the peace-loving people in Bangladesh and all across the world, China is ready to usher in a new chapter for building a community with the shared future for mankind, thereby to make a greater contribution to the development and progress of the entire humanity.

Yao Wen is Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh.