The President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev on Saturday 24 May applauded the close alliance forged recently with China as a means to attaining global stability. He further added that Russia looked forward to strengthening its strategic ties with China. These remarks were made by the Russian leader at a university, a day after his meeting with China’s President, Hu Jintao. In remarks that indirectly referred to the United States, Dmitry Medvedev brushed aside the opposition to the Russia-China alliance.

 

The Russian leader remarked that there are some who did not favor the Russia-China alliance. He then went on to add that the concerned parties would work towards strengthening the alliance despite opposition. ‘Russian-Chinese relations are one of the most important factors of maintaining stability in modern conditions’, said Dmitry Medvedev. Since the Soviet collapse, Russia and China who are former Cold War era rivals have entered into various political, military and commercial partnerships to offset the growing authority of the United States internationally.

 

Again indirectly referring to the US plans of orbiting missile-defense system, the leaders from China and Russia on Friday 23 May announced that they desire peaceful use of space and do not support the sending of weapons out there. Speaking about the Russia and China partnership, the Russian leader said that it is not directed towards any other nation, but to maintain global balance.