China, Russia firm up strategic ties amid Ukraine, SCS spats

China and Russia today vowed to jointly tackle threats and challenges to safeguard their sovereignty, security and development interests as they confront mounting challenges from the US and its allies in Ukraine and the South China Sea.
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev co-chaired the 10th round of China-Russia strategic security consultation in Beijing which assumed significance this year in view of the Ukraine crisis, where Russia is pitted against US and its European allies after its take over of Crimea.
Similarly China too faces tensions in the neighbourhood as Japan and host of Southeast Asian countries challenged Beijing's claims of sovereignty in both East and South China Seas where US too stepped up its presence in a big way.

Besides aligning their positions in the UN where the two countries are veto-wielding members, China and Russia stepped up military cooperation holding regular naval exercises.
Patrushev also called on Chinese President Xi Jinping who emphasised on the strategic significance of the emerging relationship.
During the strategic talks, both two sides reached a high degree of consensus, an official press release here said today noting they had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties, the international and regional security situation as well as other hot topics.
The two sides agreed to enhance strategic communication and coordination, deepen cooperation in fields including diplomacy, the economy, defence, counter-terrorism, it said.

China and Russia should advocate and practice the principles of the UN Charter in international relations, promote world and regional peace, stability and development, it added.