HARBIN, China. Dec 13 (Interfax-AVN) - Speaker of the Russian State Duma Gennady Seleznyov has stated that following the announcement by the U.S. of its decision to pull out from the 1972 ABM Treaty in six months, Russia should intensify its strategic partnership with China.
"The U.S. decision is a serious reason for developing Russian-Chinese relations according to a more energetic scenario, so we can respond to all challenges together," Seleznyov told the governor of one of China's largest provinces Heilongjiang during a State Duma delegation's official visit to China.
"Of course, the sky will not fall down as a result of this decision, but despite the fact that this treaty is bilateral, I am convinced that the world community will respond to this U.S. decision. I'm convinced China will also express its point of view," Seleznyov said.
He pointed out that while building their security systems, Russia and China were guided by the necessity to protect their countries from different threats. They "were building 'umbrellas' for defense, not for attacks," said Seleznyov.
Such security systems are sufficiently reliable and "I think that in a new setting we will have enough means to respond to possible challenges," Seleznyov said.
The State Duma delegation is returning to Moscow on Thursday.