MOSCOW. May 22 (Interfax) - Cooperation between Moscow and Beijing is not targeted against third countries, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said.
"Russian-Chinese strategic partnership is based on principles of mutual respect and equality, profound trust, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs and is not targeted against third countries," Patrushev said at consultations on security, justice, and law with Chen Wenqing, a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission.
"All agreements on cooperation in practical fields are being implemented consistently. Despite sanction pressure, bilateral trade keeps setting new records. The share of settlements in national currencies is increasing, which makes our relations not susceptible to external influence," Patrushev said.
"Trusting contacts at the top level play a special role in bolstering Russian-Chinese partnership. Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Russia on March 20-22. His arrival immediately after his reelection as head of state was yet another indication of an unprecedentedly high level of our relations and a determination to further deepen them," Patrushev said.
"We are thankful for inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to take part in the 3rd One Belt One Road forum as the main guest," he said.
"Developing and deepening relations with friendly China is Russia's strategic course," he said.
The new concept of Russia's foreign policy stipulates that Moscow gives priority to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation with Beijing in all areas, he said.
"All agreements on cooperation in practical fields are being implemented consistently," he said.
"A dialogue at the level of the security councils, law enforcement and supervisory agencies, and special services is an integral element of Russian-Chinese strategic partnership. The parties are effectively employing bilateral mechanisms for countering terrorism and extremism, arms and drugs trafficking, transnational organized crime, and the legalization of criminal proceeds, as well as providing information security," he said.