Valdai Club

How can all peace-seeking forces achieve a breakthrough from Asia, given the current confrontational situation in Europe? How, in this context, should China and Russia expand the geography of their cooperation through bilateral partnership in order to maximise the stability and development of Asia? These questions are answered by Feng Shaolei, Dean and Professor of School of Advanced International and Area Studies, East China Normal University.

The concept of “the Asian Mediterranean” not only responds to the current concerns about what to do and what not to do, but also suggests, in particular, a wonderful space to help connect the vast space of the Asia-Pacific with that of Eurasia, the rich potential of Russia with the urgent demands of the Asia Pacific, and the present with the future, writes Valdai Club expert Feng Shaolei.

Globally, we are witnessing four trends. First, through the diplomatic intercession of the United States, the United Arab Emirates has established diplomatic relations with Israel, Serbia and Kosovo have agreed upon economic cooperation, and under heavy American pressure, Germany has become tougher in its approach to the alleged poisoning of the Russian opposition leader and the crisis in Belarus, even indicating the possibility that it may abandon the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Only the United Nations, the Security Council, the General Assembly, and international organizations under its jurisdiction are the most qualified to provide effective guarantee for international governance, writes Valdai Club expert Feng Shaolei.

The practices of interaction between Northeast China and the Russian Far East during 2009-2018 demonstrate the big potential in bilateral cooperation in the region. Meanwhile, such practices also hold implications for future collaboration. Under the framework of ‘conjunction’ between China and Russia, the two countries are exploring a more effective and sustainable pattern of participation.

Compared with many world powers, including Russia, China still needs to learn and accumulate experience in dealing with global issues. In this sense, this trade war also teaches the Chinese a very good lesson.

The Shanghai Spirit advocated by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization – mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, mutual consultations, respect for cultural diversity and aspiration for common development takes on the key task of facilitating the “conjunction” between the Belt and Road Initiative advocated by China and Greater Eurasia Partnership advocated by Russia.

On June 8th, all Chinese people focused their attention upon this scene: at the golden hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, an unprecedented solemn ceremony was arranged. It is the first time in Chinese history that President Xi Jinping awarded President Putin the first-ever Friendship Medal. Meanwhile, according to recent polls, President Putin is the most respected and admired foreign leader among the Chinese.

Cooperation between Russia and China is not directed against any third party, it is intended to achieve the development goals of both countries, said Feng Shaolei, Director of Centre for Russian Studies at the East China Normal University, in an interview with valdaiclub.com.

The past decade saw Russia’s strategic arrangement rid itself of its crisis, restructure the domestic economy and recover the international environment for its development. Such an approach probably reflects the path of growth of many other countries since the dawn of the 21st century.