Chinese President Xi Jinping (L on the red carpet) holds a welcoming ceremony for Russian President Vladimir Putin(R) before their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 25, 2016. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
China and Russia vowed to strengthen global strategic stability in a joint statement signed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
The statement was signed after their talks on Saturday afternoon in Beijing.
In the joint statement, the two sides voiced concern over increasing "negative factors" affecting the global strategic stability.
Some countries and military-political alliances seek decisive advantage in military and relevant technology, so as to serve their own interests through use or threat to use of force in international affairs. Such policy resulted in an out-of-control growth of military power and shook the global strategic stability system, the joint statement said.
It expressed concern over the unilateral deployment of anti-missile systems all over the world, which it said is non-constructive and has negatively affected global and regional strategic balance, stability and security.
The statement said China and Russia are strongly opposed to the deployment of the Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system in Europe and the possible deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in northeast Asia, which severely infringe upon the strategic security interests of countries in the region.
The long distance precision attack weapons developed by some countries, such as the global system for instant attack, may seriously damage the strategic balance and trigger a new round of arms race, according to the joint statement.
It said arms control is an important means to strengthen global security and stability, and that disarmament and arms control should be fair and balanced, and be conducive for every country's security.
The statement expressed concern over the rising danger of chemical and biological weapons falling into the hands of non-state entities for the conduct of terrorist and violent extremist activities, saying a way to cope with such threat is to improve relevant international law.
"Strategic stability" has been a military concept in nuclear weapon. The statement said this conception is outdated and the international community should regard "strategic stability" from a wider angle.
In political field, the joint statement called on all countries and groups of countries to abide by the principle on use of force and coercive measures stipulated by the UN Charter and international law, respect the legitimate rights and interests of all countries and peoples while handling international and regional hot issues, and oppose interference in other countries' political affairs.
In miliary field, all countries should keep its military capability at the lowest level necessary to maintain its national security, refrain from moves that may be seen by other countries as threat to their national security and force them to take counter measures such as military buildup,establishing or expanding military-political alliance, to restore damaged balance, the statement said.
All countries should solve disputes through positive and constructive dialogue and promote mutual trust and cooperation, the joint statement said.
The two countries voiced willingness to strengthen dialogue, cooperation and exchanges with the international community on the basis of the above principles, the joint statement said.
The two presidents also signed a joint statement on promoting the development of information and cyber space.
The two sides agreed that facing tough security challenges and the abuse of information technology, countries should conduct dialogue and cooperation on how to guarantee the security of cyberspace and promote the development of information network.
They both advocated for the establishment of a new cyberspace order that is peaceful, secure, open and cooperative, and the formulation of widely accepted code of conduct within the framework of the United Nations.
The two sides called for respect for countries' Internet sovereignty and voiced opposition to actions that infringe upon other countries' Internet sovereignty.
The two sides agreed to strengthen network governance and crack down on terrorist and other crimes conducted through the Internet.
The two countries agreed to hold regular meetings for consultations on cyberspace cooperation, according to the document.
Foreign Ministers of the two countries also signed a declaration on the promotion of international law.
The principles of international law are the cornerstone for just and equitable international relations featuring win-win cooperation, creating a community of shared future for mankind, and establishing common space of equal and indivisible security and economic cooperation, the declaration said.
The two countries reaffirmed the principle that states shall refrain from the threat or use of force in violation of the UN Charter and condemned unilateral military interventions.
The two countries voiced firm support to the principle of non-intervention in other countries' internal or external affairs, and condemned any interference by states in other states' internal affairs with the aim of forging change of legitimate governments.
The declaration reaffirmed the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes. It is crucial for the maintenance of international legal order that all disputes settlement means and mechanisms are based on consent and used in good faith and in the spirit of cooperation, and their purposes shall not be undermined by abusive practices, the declaration said.
The declaration criticised the adoption of unilateral coercive measures and condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestations. It said to counter threat from terrorism requires collective action in full accordance with international law, including the UN Charter.
In the declaration, the two countries emphasized the important role of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in maintaining the rule of law relating to activities in the oceans.
It is of utmost importance that the provisions of this universal treaty are applied consistently, in such a manner that does not impair rights and legitimate interests of contracting parties and does not compromise the integrity of the legal regime established by the convention, the declaration said.
The declaration said the two countries are resolved to further enhance their cooperation in upholding and promoting international law and in establishing of a just and equitable international order based on international law.
