May 20, 2026
Source: http://kremlin.ru/supplement/6486
Translated by Geoffrey Roberts
The
Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China are civilisations
with ancient histories. As founding countries of the United Nations
(UN) and permanent members of its Security Council and as important
centres of power in a multipolar world, they play a constructive role in
maintaining the global balance of power and improving the system of
international relations.
Guided
by the ideas of the Russian-Chinese Joint Declaration on a Multipolar
World and the Formation of a New International Order (23 April 1997);
the Joint Declaration between the Russian Federation and the People’s
Republic of China on International Order in the 21st Century (1 July
2005); the Joint Statement of the Russian Federation and the People’s
Republic of China on the Current Situation in the World and Major
International Issues (4 July 2017); and the Joint Statement of the
Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China on International
Relations Entering a New Era, and Global Sustainable Development (4
February 2022),
We state the following:
1. Since the end of World War II, changes in the international landscape and global power relations have accelerated.
On
the one hand, the wave of decolonisation and the end of the Cold War
have led to a significant increase in the number of sovereign states in
the world. The global community has become more diverse and complex. The
level of development and international influence of states in Asia,
Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean has risen. The
number of regional and interregional associations, covering all areas
of international relations, from politics and security to economics and
humanitarian affairs, has increased, and their role in global affairs is
steadily growing. Global interconnectedness and interdependence have
reached levels unprecedented in human history.
Attempts
by some states to unilaterally govern global affairs, impose their
interests globally, and — in the spirit of the colonial era — limit the
sovereign development of other countries, have failed. The system of
international relations in the 21st century is undergoing a profound
transformation, evolving toward a long-term state of polycentricity and
the emergence of a new type of international relations.
Most
states, drawing on their historical experience, sincerely recognise the
dawn of a new era and the need to pursue the path of building a more
cohesive international community, embracing mutual respect for
fundamental interests, equality, justice, and mutually beneficial
cooperation without dividing the world into opposing regions and blocs.
On
the other hand, the global situation is becoming more complex. On the
rise are negative, neo-colonial tendencies, such as the practice of
unilateral forceful approaches, hegemonism, and bloc confrontation.
Fundamental, universally-recognized norms of international law and
international relations are regularly violated, and it is becoming more
difficult for states to coordinate their actions and resolve conflicts
within global governance institutions, many of which are losing their
effectiveness. The global peace and development agenda faces new risks
and challenges, and there is a danger of fragmentation of the
international community and a return to the “law of the jungle.”
2.
As advocates for the harmonious development of an equitable and orderly
multipolar world and a new type of international relations, including a
more just and rational system of global governance, Russia and China
call upon the international community to adhere to the following
fundamental principles in their relations with each other:
1) The principle of global openness to inclusive and mutually beneficial cooperation.
It
is important to overcome global division and promote the elimination of
cross-border barriers in various spheres, while respecting the
sovereignty, territorial integrity, and identity of all sovereign
states. There is no universal path of development, and no “first-class”
countries or peoples exist. Differences between states — natural in such
a diverse and complex world — should not be an obstacle to the
development of equal, respectful, and mutually beneficial relations. It
is necessary to respect the chosen development model of each sovereign
state. The democratisation of international political relations and the
construction of a more open global economy are in the fundamental
interests of all countries. Unacceptable are hegemony, coercive policies
and unilateral approaches to resolving common problems.
2) The principle of indivisible and equal security.
The
formation of a more cohesive international community amid growing
common risks and challenges for humanity means that the security of one
state cannot be ensured at the expense of another. All sovereign states
have an equal right to security. It is necessary to pay due attention to
the rational security concerns of all countries, focus on cooperation
on security issues, reject bloc confrontation and zero-sum game
strategies, oppose the expansion of military alliances, hybrid wars, and
proxy wars, and promote the creation of a renewed, balanced, effective,
and sustainable global and regional security architecture.
Disagreements and disputes should be resolved peacefully, addressing the
root causes of conflicts. It is unacceptable to coerce sovereign states
into abandoning their neutrality.
3) The principle of democratisation of international relations and improvement of the global governance system.
All
states and their associations are free to choose their foreign partners
and models of international interaction. Global hegemony is
unacceptable and must be prohibited. No single state or group of states
should control international affairs, dictate the fate of other
countries, or monopolise development opportunities. The system of global
governance and regulation — which should ensure the conditions and
benefits of the equal participation of all states in political
decision-making — must be continually improved. As an important
instrument for regulating the system of international relations, global
governance must adhere to sovereign equality, the rule of international
law, multilateralism, human-centeredness, and results-oriented
approaches. To this end, it is necessary to strengthen the role of
multilateralism as the primary tool for addressing multifaceted and
complex global problems and prevent the weakening of the UN. Reform of
the UN and other multilateral institutions must serve the interests of
all humanity and consistently enhance the representativeness and voice
of developing states in the international system. The UN Charter is the
fundamental norm of international relations, and its principles must be
observed in their entirety and interrelationship. Rules developed by a
narrow circle of states should not replace generally recognized
international law. Large states must assume a special responsibility and
mission, place additional demands on themselves, and not abuse their
advantages.
4) Global civilizational and value diversity.
All
human civilisations are valuable and equal in themselves; civilisations
are not divided into highly developed and underdeveloped, strong and
weak. The spiritual and moral system of no civilisation can be viewed as
exclusive or superior to others. All countries must advance a
civilisational perspective based on equality, the exchange of
experiences, and dialogue. They must strengthen mutual respect,
understanding, trust, and exchanges between different nationalities and
civilisations, promote mutual understanding and friendship among the
peoples of all countries, and protect the diversity of cultures and
civilisations. It is necessary to resolutely oppose the use of human
rights as a pretext for interference in the internal affairs of other
states, as well as the politicisation and instrumentalisation of human
rights issues. Religion is an important conduit for human culture,
playing a special role in building ties between peoples, and all states
should create favourable conditions for interreligious dialogue and
exchange.
3.
Russia and China will continue to develop a shared vision for the
formation of a multipolar world and a new type of more equitable
international relations.
