Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alexeyev chatted with Chinese netizens in an online dialogue this week about the arms trade between Russia and China.
He said Russia cannot supply China with aircraft carriers because it has stopped producing them.
But he added that Russia will continue selling up-to-date arms to China, despite international security concerns and tension stemming from Russia’s new immigration policy.
"It is unfortunate that various threats in the world against us (Russia and China) have not decreased," said Alexeyev. He indicated that both countries’ interests include defense.
Alexeyev, however, was quick in downplaying arms deals in terms of their effects on other international relationships.
He said they "will not become a threat to any third country, and will not endanger the stability and security of the Asia-Pacific region and the world as a whole," he added.
Tensions rose however between the two countries following the Russian government’s actions toward foreigners, many of them Chinese, who operate retail businesses in Russia. Alexeyev responded to allegations that the actions targeted Chinese citizens, by saying they were aimed at combating illegal immigration.
The Kremlin threw out immigrant vendors from markets on April 1, forcing foreign traders to pack up their stalls. Dozens of kiosks are now empty. Notably, the law does not apply to Moscow markets.
Immigrant vendors are only allowed to work as porters, cleaners and wholesalers. They are not permitted to directly sell goods to local customers. There are some concerns that the law was aimed at Chinese traders.
"The anti-China tendency in Russia contradicts the policy of our government," said Alexeyev.
The online dialogue, called "Dialogue with Russia", is part of a series of online interactive activities between Chinese netizens and other countries and regions sponsored by China Daily.
Zhou Xiaopeng is director of the China Daily website's Global Online Channel. He said, "We intend to build up a high-level network platform for Chinese netizens to learn about Russia through this dialogue, as well as providing a new channel for mutual understanding between the two countries."
Questions:
1. Alexander Alexeyev is what position in the Russian government?
2. China had wanted to purchase what piece of military equipment from Russia?
3. Recent immigration policy in Russia restricts immigrant workers to which professions?
Answers:
1. Deputy Foreign Minister.
2. Aircraft carriers.
3. Porters, cleaners and wholesalers.
（英语点津 Linda 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Jonathan Stewart is a media and journalism expert from the United States with four years of experience as a writer and instructor. He accepted a foreign expert position with chinadaily.com.cn in June 2007 following the completion of his Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Comparative Politics.
