Русский
China is ready to cooperate with Russia to protect their shared maritime interests and ensure normal navigation in the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said. He was speaking during meetings with Nikolay Patrushev, the Chairman of the Maritime Board, in Beijing.
Wang said that “China is ready to work together with Russia, enhance coordination between the two countries’ maritime strategies, capitalize on their complementary advantages, protect each other’s legitimate maritime rights and interests, maintain maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region, and ensure normal navigation along key sea routes worldwide.”
He added that it was necessary to respect the sovereignty and security of states adjacent to the sea, ensure stable energy supplies, and maintain the safe operation of production and supply chains. He also highlighted the importance of broader exchanges of views on maritime and Arctic issues.
According to Wang, China and Russia should harness the ocean to develop Sino-Russian relations, “contribute to improving global maritime affairs management, and promote the formation of a maritime community with a common destiny.”
Patrushev added that Russia and China are able to change the global geo-economic map and make maritime trade cheaper, more accessible and secure against military escalation, piracy and sanctions, saying “We see particular significance in the joint development of strategic logistical initiatives. China has been implementing the Maritime Silk Road concept for more than a decade already. Russia, for its part, relying on its immense experience of polar navigation and the operation of the Northern Sea Route, has launched the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor project. Pursuing these initiatives, our countries are able to reshape the global geo-economic map, making maritime trade cheaper, more accessible and secure against any risks, including military escalation, piracy and sanctions.”
Chinese and Russian naval forces have expanded their joint patrols and defense cooperation, recently concluding joint exercises and maritime patrols around Northeast Asia and discussing broader shipbuilding ties.
The statements concerning maritime security by senior officials on both sides comes after multiple foreign flagged vessels have been subject to attacks by drones and on occasion, apprehended by Western naval vessels in what Russia and China say interfere with the Maritime Law of the Sea which upholds the right of passage for commercial shipping. The conclusion is that both countries could step up security for their own and allied shipping, which in turn could, if things escalate, result in a military exchange between Russian, Chinese and unfriendly navies.
