China Ready to Protect Maritime Interests, Shipping With Russia – Foreign Minister

According to Wang Yi, China and Russia should use the ocean to develop China-Russia relations, "help improve global maritime affairs governance and promote the building of a maritime community with a shared future."

Beijing, October 12. /TASS/. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China is ready to cooperate with Russia to protect their common maritime interests and ensure normal navigation in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China quoted Wang Yi as saying: China is ready to cooperate with Russia, strengthen coordination between the two countries' maritime strategies, use their complementary advantages, protect each other's legitimate maritime rights and interests, maintain maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region, and ensure normal navigation in key sea routes around the world.

Wang Yi met with Nikolai Patrushev, aide to the Russian President and head of the Maritime Board in Beijing.

The senior Chinese diplomat said: "It is necessary to respect the sovereignty and security of countries adjacent to the sea, ensure stable energy supply, and maintain the safe operation of production and supply chains." He also emphasized the importance of a broader exchange of views on maritime and Arctic issues.

According to Wang Yi, China and Russia should use the ocean to develop China-Russia relations, "contribute to the improvement of global management of maritime affairs, and promote the formation of a maritime community with a shared destiny."