During a meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed Russia’s unwavering support for China’s upcoming role as host of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen. This commitment was conveyed during discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, where the two officials addressed bilateral relations, multilateral cooperation, and a range of international and regional issues.
Wang Yi highlighted the productive meetings between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this year, which have charted a strategic path for the enhancement of their comprehensive partnership. He conveyed confidence that China’s hosting of the APEC forum would yield positive outcomes, bolstered by the support from Russia and other economies, and contribute to regional cooperation and economic development in the Asia-Pacific.
Emphasizing the significance of multilateral cooperation, Wang Yi noted the importance of collaboration between China and Russia within organizations such as the United Nations and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. This cooperation aims to promote multilateralism and improve global governance.
Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed the strengthening ties between Moscow and Beijing across various sectors, attributing these developments to the leadership of their respective presidents. He reiterated Russia’s backing for China’s APEC hosting responsibilities and expressed readiness to enhance coordination with Beijing through international platforms like the United Nations, G20, APEC, and BRICS.
The discussions between the two foreign ministers also covered upcoming high-level diplomatic engagements and challenges on both regional and international fronts. Their dialogue underscores ongoing efforts by China and Russia to deepen strategic coordination and bolster cooperation on global economic and political matters.