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Russia, China join to demand autonomy (*snicker*)
Something of an oxymoron, perhaps, but certain to cause mild cognitive dissonance, hehTeaming up in a thinly veiled attack yesterday on perceived U.S. efforts to dominate the world, Russia and China issued a declaration demanding respect for the right of all countries to develop free of outside interference. Signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Hu Jintao on the second day of a summit here, the declaration denounced "the aspiration for monopoly and domination in international affairs" and called for an end to "attempts to divide nations into leaders and those being led." While not mentioning the United States directly, the "Declaration on World Order in the 21st Century" left no doubt that Washington was its main target. Russian-Chinese ties have been steadily warming, boosted by the signing last year and ratification this spring of a final settlement of a long border dispute. The two countries are planning to hold their first joint military maneuvers this year in China. Putin and Hu offered each other support in Moscow's war against separatist rebels in Chechnya and Beijing's effort to assert control of Taiwan, which it considers a renegade province. "Any actions aimed at splitting sovereign states and kindling ethnic discord are inadmissible," the declaration said. "The declaration reflects similar approaches by Russia and China to fundamental world policy issues," Putin said after the signing ceremony. "We understand well the importance of good-neighborly relations based on partnership between Russia and China, both for our own peoples and for the entire world." Hu said the two sides had discussed cooperation concerning Taiwan and Chechnya, promotion of stability in Central Asia, reform of the United Nations and "the nuclear problem of the Korean peninsula." The declaration endorsed a stronger U.N. role in global affairs and rejected attempts "to impose models of social and political development from outside." The two sides also signed economic agreements yesterday, including one that paves the way for increased Russian oil exports to China. "Help! Help! We're being Posted by: .com 2005-07-02 |
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