Vitality of neighbors' relations continues to grow under guidance of the two heads of state: China Daily editorial

China and Russia issued a joint statement on deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership in Beijing on Thursday. They also inked a number of bilateral economic and trade cooperation documents.

Over the past 75 years, since Beijing and Moscow established diplomatic relations, the relationship between the two countries has experienced ups and downs, but the overarching trend has been for it to become stronger over time.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to China on Thursday and Friday testifies to the growing vitality of Sino-Russian ties, which have withstood the tests posed by the vicissitudes of the international situation and set an example for major and neighboring countries of how to live in harmony, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

As President Xi Jinping stressed in his meeting with his Russian counterpart, countries should always respect each other and accommodate each other's concerns. He urged China and Russia to continue to uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and provide mutual assistance for the development and revitalization of both sides. This is not only the correct way for the two neighbors to get along with each other, but also the direction in which major country relations should advance in the 21st century.

As Xi said, China is willing to always be a good neighbor, good friend, and good partner of Russia, and it will continue to work with it to consolidate the friendship between the two peoples, and jointly achieve the development and revitalization of the two countries. Putin warmly echoed Xi's remarks, saying that developing Russia-China relations is not an expedient measure, and Russia is willing to continue to promote close strategic coordination and cooperation with China to promote the establishment of a more just and reasonable international order and the democratization of international relations.

As major emerging market economies, it is natural that the two countries should seek to expand their mutually beneficial cooperation and tap the potential of their comparative advantages. And, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council that uphold the UN-centered world order and support a multipolar world and multilateral global governance, it is natural that they should work together to safeguard fairness and justice in the global governance system.

The 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations offers the two sides a good opportunity to enrich their cooperation and join hands to contribute more positive energy to world prosperity and stability.

With the joint efforts of both sides, the comprehensive strategic coordination between the two countries, which is not subject to any third party, continues to demonstrate its vitality.