China, Russia to join forces in Asia Pacific
October 8, 2013, 5:16 am

The Chinese leader urged the two sides to optimise bilateral trade structure[AP]

“Today, given that the Asia-Pacific region’s growing role in global politics and the global economy, the Chinese side is interested in seeing Russia continue to be present in the region, and also play a significant role in the development of this region,” said President Xi.

In what was their fifth meeting this year, Xi held talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 2013 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bali, Indonesia.

Xi and Putin had witnessed the signing of 30 agreements during the Chinese president’s visit to Moscow earlier this year.

“We are developing economic ties. We are cooperating in some very sensitive areas, such as military technology cooperation and military affairs. Our service members have already conducted two major trainings, on land and in the sea,” said Putin.

The Chinese leader also urged the two sides to optimise bilateral trade structure, promote cooperation in energy resources.

In a clear sign that Beijing and Moscow are now critical allies on the world stage, Putin said China and Russia’s coordinated position on the international arena is paying off.

“We have been able to achieve coordinated decisions on the most difficult matters, with Syrian issues being the latest example,” he said.

Russia and China, both permanent UNSC members have vetoed three resolutions till now on Syria.

Regarding the Syrian crisis and the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula, Xi said, “I think that we have similar or identical positions on all these matters”.

Xi also said in 2015 the two sides will hold joint celebratory events together “in honour of our common victory” to mark the 70^th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The next APEC Summit will be held in China.

Meanwhile on Monday, China warned the US, Japan and Australia not to use excuses to interfere in territorial disputes in the region.

“The United States, Japan and Australia are allies but this should not become an excuse to interfere in territorial disputes, otherwise it will only make the problems more complicated and harm the interests of all parties,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday.

“We urge the relevant countries to respect facts, distinguish right from wrong, be cautious, and stop all words and deeds that are not beneficial to the proper handling of the issue and undermine regional stability,” she said.

On Friday, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and US Secretary of State John Kerry raised the maritime disputes during a trilateral meet in Bali.

China and Japan are locked in a territorial dispute over a group of uninhabited islands known as the Diaoyu in China and the Senkaku in Japan.

With inputs from Agencies