MOSCOW. March 21 (Interfax) - Russia and China deem attempts to replace the universally recognized principles and the regulations of international law with "a rules-based order" as unacceptable, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a joint statement signed following talks in Moscow on Tuesday.
In the document published on the Kremlin's website, the parties note the rapid nature of the changes taking place in the world, the profound transformation of the international architecture and the irreversibility of such historical trends as peace, development, cooperation and shared gains.
Moscow and Beijing note the acceleration of the process of establishing a multipolar world order, the reinforcement of the positions of emerging markets and developing states, the growing number of regional powers influencing global processes and demonstrating a desire to uphold their legitimate national interests.
"At the same time, manifestations of hegemony, unilateralism and protectionism are still widespread. Attempts to replace the generally recognized principles and regulations of international law with a 'rules-based order' are unacceptable," the statement said.