China and Russia reaffirm steadfast commitment to non-alignment and non-confrontation

Beijing — China and Russia respect each other’s core interests and adhere to the principles of non-alignment and non-confrontation, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at an annual press conference in Beijing on Sunday. ‘We always respect each other’s core interests, do not impose our will and agenda on one another, and firmly uphold the principles of non-alignment and non-confrontation, and we do not target third parties,’ he told RIA Novosti. Wang Yi noted that China and Russia do not use provocation or external pressure, and this demonstrates a relatively high level of strategic stability, he said. ‘This relationship [between Russia and China] has been based on equality, mutual respect, and mutual benefit since the outset,’ the Chinese foreign minister said. China and Russia are strategically independent and autonomous, and maintain a high level of mutual trust, he said. The press conference by Foreign Minister Wang Yi took place on the sidelines of the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s highest legislative body, which is being held in Beijing from 5 to 12 March.