ENERGY LINE: Two Chinese workers patrol the China-Russia oil pipeline in Daqing, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province (WANG JIANWEI)

A model of international relations

Entering the era of globalization, today's world is no longer the one of the old. Cooperation has replaced confrontation. The development of China-Russia relations conforms to this new trend. Now the two sides are setting a model of friendship between big powers.

Current ties between the countries, which are mature, stable, healthy and vigorous, based on practical cooperation, are quite different from the relations between big powers in the past, riddled with conflict, confrontation, hegemony and suspicion. Such a relationship based on cooperation and harmony is more suitable to today's world.

Both China and Russia realize that deepening the bilateral cooperation will benefit both. And this is the reason why their relationship has continued to develop during the past years, said Wang from the CICIR, "The two sides not only truly accept this concept, but also take practical steps to realize it. And the result is: People in the two countries are enjoying the profits of this relationship based on high mutual trust."

"Their relationship is based on common interests, not alliance," said Chen from the CIIS. "This is a type of relationship that is helpful to global peace and stability."

China would like to conduct a similar relationship mode with every other country in the world. Just like Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Cheng said, China's commitment to strengthening ties with other developing countries doesn't mean it will stop improving relations with the developed world. China always stresses a cooperative and win-win approach to affairs, which it believes is the only way every country can reach its full potential.

Landmark Events of the China-Russia Relationship

- December 27, 1991, China recognizes the Russian Federation and the two commence diplomatic relations

- September 1994, China and Russia declare the establishment of a "constructive partnership featuring good neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation"

- April 25, 1996, China and Russia announce the establishment of a "partnership of strategic coordination based on equality and mutual benefit and oriented toward the 21st century"

- July 24, 2001, the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation is signed

- October 14, 2004, China and Russia issue a joint statement, declaring that the boundary dispute between the two countries has been completely determined

- October 14, 2008, China and Russia unveil markers for the eastern portion of their border

- June 6, 2012, China and Russia agree to enhance their "comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination" in a joint statement

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