Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi

The Chinese Foreign Ministry commented on positive statements by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, saying that ties between the two countries are an example of a new type of bilateral relations based on a high level of mutual understanding.

The Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson, Zhao Lijian, said on Thursday “We have noticed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s positive remarks on our bilateral relations that reflect the high level of mutual understanding between China and Russia concerning the evolution of our relations. China highly appreciates it.”

On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow-Beijing bilateral relations had reached a new level and were more than just military and a political alliance. He also emphasized that the US is trying to “punish” Russia and China with sanctions and security provocations.

There is no limit to the mutual trust that currently exists between Russia and China, Lijian said, stressing that the relations between the two countries are a classical example of a new type of international relations that are not based on a cold war mentality of either enemy or friend, or the creation of various alliances and groups based on self-interest.

The Russian-Chinese Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation was extended in July for another five years, with Russian-Chinese hitting a new record in 2021, exceeding $130 billion.