Wang calls Putin's China trip 'crucial'

China and Russia should intensify cooperation and coordination to safeguard the interests of emerging markets and developing countries against the backdrop of international uncertainties, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said.

Since the two countries have a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, they should work closer to uphold basic norms of international relations and international fairness and justice, Wang said in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of a BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Both countries should push for the promotion of the "Shanghai Spirit" at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Qingdao and achieving positive and pragmatic outcomes from the summit, sending a signal of unity to the world, Wang said.