Ties with Russia seen as role model

China and Russia have set an example for the world in building a new-type relationship between major countries, officials and leading scholars from the two countries said at a forum in Beijing.

"Despite differences in cultures, traditions and ways of thinking and living … China and Russia are now enjoying the healthiest and most mature relationship between big powers," Dai Bingguo, former state councilor and president of the China-Russia Commission for Friendship, Peace and Development, said at the first China-Russia Think Tank Forum on Tuesday.

He called on the countries to push their bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination to a higher level. He also called for enhanced mutual trust to achieve a "heart-to-heart friendship".

Igor Morgulov, Russia's deputy foreign minister, said China and Russia are forming "a new geopolitical situation" that is influencing the world political landscape.

"The current China-Russia partnership is a firm island in the sea of unstable world politics," Morgulov said, adding that the relationship is key not only to the security of the two countries but also the peace and stability of the world.

"Although even the best neighbors sometimes quarrel, wise politics is seen in China and Russia's cooperation and dialogues."

Morgulov said China and Russia support each other in many global issues, such as sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security, and energy cooperation is important in their economic partnership. He said he looks forward to building additional industry chains as part of the two countries' partnership.

Igor Ivanov, president of the Russian International Affairs Council, said the new-type relationship between China and Russia has been determined by the two countries' needs and development patterns, and their partnership does not target any third party.

"Such a relationship includes not only political dialogue, but also economic and cultural cooperation as a complement, and we seek balanced interests in all areas."

He said the countries are cooperating in sectors such as high-tech industries, information technology and information security.

The trade volume between China and Russia reached $31.2 billion from January to April, and is expected to hit $100 billion for the year.

China has been Russia's top trade partner for eight consecutive years, and Russia is China's largest source of oil and electric power imports and one of China's major coal import sources, according to Zhang Hanhui, assistant foreign minister and former ambassador to Kazakhstan.

China is also Russia's top source of foreign tourists and the second most popular foreign destination for Russian tourists, Zhang added.

The forum, held Tuesday and Wednesday, is jointly hosted by the Russian International Affairs Council and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. It will be held annually, alternately in China and in Russia.