Joint Statement by the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on Advocating Global Multipolarity and New Types of International Relations
Both the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation have long histories and civilizations, are founding members of the United Nations and permanent members of the Security Council, and are important forces in a multipolar world, playing a constructive role in maintaining the global balance of power and improving the international relations system. Following the Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on World Multipolarization and the Establishment of a New International Order dated April 23, 1997, the Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on the International Order of the 21st Century dated July 1, 2005, the Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on the Current World Situation and Major International Issues dated July 4, 2017, as well as the February 4, 2022 The spirit of the Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on International Relations and Global Sustainable Development in the New Era, both sides declare the following:
1. Since the end of World War II, the international landscape and balance of power have accelerated their evolution.
On one hand, the wave of decolonization and the end of the Cold War have greatly increased the number of sovereign countries worldwide, making the international community more diverse and complex. The development level and international influence of countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean have surged, and the number of regional and transregional organizations has surged, covering areas such as international politics, security, economy, and cultural cooperation, with their roles in global affairs continuously growing. Global connectivity and interdependence have reached unprecedented levels in human history. Some countries arbitrarily manipulate international affairs, impose their interests worldwide with colonial-era thinking, and restrict the development of other sovereign nations have completely failed.
The international relations system of the 21st century is undergoing profound transformation, gradually evolving toward multipolarity and new types of international relations. Most countries, based on their own historical experience, have deeply recognized the arrival of a new era, oppose dividing the world into regions and camps of mutual confrontation, emphasize the need to build a more united international community, respect each other's fundamental interests, treat each other equally, and cooperate mutually.
On the other hand, the international situation is becoming increasingly complex, with unilateral coercion, hegemonism, bloc confrontation, and neo-colonialism surging against the currents. International law and basic norms of international relations are being continuously trampled, making it even harder for many global governance institutions to coordinate actions between states and mediate international disputes, making it harder to operate effectively. World peace and development face new risks and challenges, with the danger of fragmentation and regression to the law of the jungle within the international community.
II. Both parties call on the international community to uphold the following main principles to advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and to build a new type of international relations that includes a more just and reasonable global governance system:
(1) Adherence to openness, inclusiveness, and mutually beneficial cooperation
Countries' sovereignty, territorial integrity, and uniqueness should be respected, as well as their independently chosen development paths and models. Efforts should be made to bridge divisions and eliminate transnational obstacles in various fields. There is no universally applicable development path in the world, nor are there nations or peoples that are superior to others. In a complex international situation, natural differences between countries should not become obstacles to developing equal, mutually beneficial, and respectful relations between states. Democratizing international political relations and building a more open world economy are in the fundamental interests of all countries. Using unilateral measures to solve common problems, as well as any form of hegemonism and coercive policies, are unacceptable.
(2) Adherence to security that is equal and indivisible
In the context of increasing risks and challenges faced jointly by humanity, building a more united international community means that the security of one country cannot come at the expense of the security of others. All sovereign states enjoy equal rights in safeguarding their security. The legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, coordination on security issues should be strengthened, bloc confrontation and 'zero-sum games' should be resisted, military alliance expansion, hybrid warfare, and proxy wars should be opposed, and the construction of balanced, effective, and sustainable new global and regional security frameworks should be promoted. Disputes and differences should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and consultation, addressing the fundamental causes of conflicts. Sovereign states should not be forced to renounce neutrality.
(3) Adhere to promoting the democratization of international relations and improving the global governance system
All countries and national groups are free to choose partners and international cooperation models. Hegemonism is unacceptable and should be resisted. No country or group of countries may control international affairs, dominate the fate of other countries, or monopolize development advantages. The global governance system should be continuously improved to create conditions for countries to participate equally in decision-making processes and benefit together. Global governance, as an important lever for regulating the international relations system, should uphold sovereign equality, abide by the rule of law, practice multilateralism, advocate people-centeredness, and focus on action. Upholding multilateralism is the main approach to solving complex global problems, and its role should be strengthened to prevent the UN's authority from being weakened. Reforms of the United Nations and other multilateral institutions should serve the interests of all humanity and continuously enhance the representation and voice of developing countries in the international system. The UN Charter is the fundamental norm of international relations and must be fully and fully observed. Rules established by a few countries cannot replace universally accepted international laws. A major power should earnestly shoulder its special responsibilities and missions, strengthen self-restraint, and refrain from abusing its own strength.
(4) Uphold world civilization and value diversity
All human civilizations are equal and possess unique value, with no superiority or inferiority. No civilization's moral and spiritual system should be regarded as exclusive or superior to other civilizations. Countries should advocate adhering to a civilization of equality, mutual learning, and dialogue, enhance mutual respect, understanding, trust, and exchange among different ethnic groups and civilizations, promote mutual understanding and friendship among peoples, and protect cultural and cultural diversity. We firmly oppose interfering in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, politicizing and instrumentalizing human rights issues. Religion is an important carrier of human culture and plays a unique role in promoting people-to-people connectivity. Countries should create a favorable environment for religious dialogue and exchange.
3. Both sides will continue to develop a shared vision for building a multipolar world and a more just new type of international relations.
