President Jiang Zemin Tuesday advocated a new kind of international relations based on non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting third countries, saying it was the "best choice'' for developing Sino-Russian relations.
Jiang made the remarks during a speech at Moscow State University addressing more than 1,000 people, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"It can be concluded from history that neither old-style alliances or antagonism are be conducive to the long-term stable development of Sino-Russian relations, rather they seriously impair ties,'' said Jiang.
Jiang's model of international relations is based on non-alliance, non-confrontation, not targeting any third country, complete equality, and mutually-beneficial co-operation and good-neighbourliness.
China and the former Soviet Union forged an alliance in 1950. However, by the late 1950s relations turned to antagonism. At the lowest point in bilateral relations, the two countries had military clashes along their border. Bilateral ties did not begin to normalize until the late 1980s.
As Sino-Russian relations continue to improve, Jiang expressed his satisfaction with the close ties between the two countries in recent years, highlighting frequent exchanges, the settlement of border disputes, trade and economic links, and co-operation on international issues.
Sino-Russian ties were given a new boost on Monday when Jiang and Putin signed the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Co-operation, which legalized the "peaceful philosophy'' of the two countries.
For the further development of bilateral ties, Jiang Tuesday put forward four proposals:
* To increase mutual political trust and consolidate the foundation of Sino-Russian good-neighbourliness.
Jiang pledged that China will not do anything to harm Russia's interests and will continue to support Russia in its endeavour to reinvigorate its economy and safeguard its interests.
He also expressed confidence in Russia's backing of China's construction and reunification.
* To expand reciprocal co-operation and enhance momentum for common development.
* To strengthen exchanges between the two nations and promote friendship between their two peoples.
* To deepen Sino-Russian strategic co-ordination and continue consultations and co-operation in international affairs so as to build a world of peace, development, democracy and prosperity.
Turning to international issues, Jiang argued that peace cannot be achieved by force or maintained by military alliances.
"Breaking the international strategic balance and developing advanced weapon systems will only trigger an arms race and jeopardize world peace,'' said Jiang, in a veiled reference to the US's insistence on developing its missile defence system.
"Strengthening and expanding military alliances will only create more elements of instability and impair international security.'' He called on countries to discard the Cold War mentality and adopt the new security concept with trust, reciprocity, equality and co-ordination at its center.
(China Daily 07/18/2001)
