This article is reproduced by Niu Danqin (id:bullpiano) with authorization. Author: Niu Danqin
June 15 was a special day. Sure enough, in the afternoon of that day, Chinese and Russian leaders talked on the phone again.
The Xinhua News Agency’s report is very concise and comprehensive, with a total of four paragraphs. In the first paragraph, they talked on the phone. In the second paragraph, Chinese leaders spoke. In the third paragraph, Putin spoke. In the fourth paragraph, they discussed the Ukrainian issue.
Different people have different opinions. It’s entirely my personal opinion. Eight words are the key to this special call made by a special person at a special time.
namely:
Pragmatic
Congratulations
stand on one ‘s own.
Of course, you might say, why not 12 words, such as practical cooperation, heartfelt congratulations and independence. Well, it’s not too bad. You can even say 18 words, 66 words. But I still like 8 words, special moment, special meaning.
Let’s start with the first two words: pragmatic.
According to the Xinhua news agency, the Chinese leader said a total of four sentences.
The first sentence: “since the beginning of this year, in the face of global turbulence and changes, China Russia relations have maintained a good momentum of development.
The second sentence: “the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has been steadily promoted. The Heihe blagovishensk highway bridge has been opened to traffic, opening up a new channel for connectivity between the two countries.”
In the third sentence, “China is willing to work with Russia to promote bilateral practical cooperation in a stable and far-reaching way.”
The fourth sentence: “China is willing to continue to support each other with Russia on issues related to core interests and major concerns such as sovereignty and security, close strategic cooperation between the two countries, strengthen communication and coordination in major international and regional organizations such as the United Nations, the BRICs countries and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, promote unity and cooperation between emerging market countries and developing countries, and promote the development of the international order and global governance in a more just and reasonable direction.”
It has a strong logic.
The first sentence is the overall assessment. The second sentence gives examples. The key is the third sentence, expressing will. The fourth sentence is the field and direction of cooperation.
What is the will?
Promote bilateral practical cooperation to be steady and far-reaching.
Cooperation is definitely necessary, but it is practical cooperation, and it should be stable and far-reaching. The leaders made clear the specific areas of cooperation. I won’t explain them if you see for yourself.
What did Putin say?
This involves the following two keywords: congratulations.
According to Xinhua news agency, Putin has three sentences.
In the first sentence, he praised the strong leadership of Chinese leaders. “China has made outstanding development achievements, and Russia would like to express its heartfelt congratulations.”
The second sentence: “since this year, Russia China practical cooperation has developed steadily.”
The third sentence: “Russia supports the global security initiative put forward by China, opposes any force interfering in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of the so-called Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other issues, and is willing to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China and make constructive efforts to promote world multipolarization and establish a more just and reasonable international order.”
The last phone call was on February 25. The focus was on Ukraine. Obviously, the Ukraine issue is only a part of the overall call this time.
Therefore, Putin also said a lot, especially before talking about Russia China relations, he spoke highly of Chinese leaders.
Note these three words:
Strong leadership
Outstanding development achievements
Hearty congratulations.
Congratulations, and heartfelt congratulations. I have to say that Putin is very talkative. Of course, such appreciation should also come from the heart.
In the second sentence, I made an overall evaluation of the situation of Russia China relations. I felt that Putin also echoed the words of Chinese leaders, mentioned “pragmatism”, and believed that since this year, Russia China practical cooperation has developed steadily.
Please note that the Chinese and Russian leaders believe that both sides should cooperate in a pragmatic manner.
The third sentence is that Russia has made clear its support, open opposition and, of course, cooperation. The overall direction is similar to that of China. They all hope that the world will be more fair and reasonable.
Next, there are the last four Keywords: independence.
This is the part of exchanging views on the Ukrainian issue.
According to the Xinhua news agency, the Chinese leader stressed three sentences.
The first sentence: “China has always made independent judgments based on the historical longitude, latitude and right and wrong of the Ukrainian issue, and actively promoted world peace and the stability of the global economic order.”
The second sentence: “all parties should promote the proper settlement of the Ukrainian crisis in a responsible manner.”
The third sentence: “China is willing to continue to play its due role in this regard.”
I believe that this is also a part of great international concern. The words of Chinese leaders are still informative.
In the first sentence, I believe you are familiar with some words. For example, historical longitude and latitude, and right and wrong, but the key point is undoubtedly that “(the Chinese side) makes independent judgments”.
He said so to Biden and so to Putin.
There are two purposes. One is to actively promote world peace, and the other is to promote the stability of the global economic order. Both of them should be pointed out.
Let alone world peace. The global economic order is stable. I remember that during the video conference in March, Chinese leaders told Biden:
At present, it is very difficult for countries all over the world to cope with the COVID-19 and to ensure the economy and people’s livelihood. As leaders of major countries, we should consider properly solving global hotspot issues, and more importantly, we should consider global stability and the production and life of billions of people. It is still the common people who suffer from all-round and indiscriminate sanctions. If it is further upgraded, it will also trigger serious crises in the global economy and trade, finance, energy, food, industrial chain and supply chain, which will make the already difficult world economy worse and cause irreparable losses.
We should consider… More than.
It is the common people who suffer.
This is the pattern of a leader.
In the second sentence, “all parties should promote the proper resolution of the Ukrainian crisis in a responsible manner”. China expressed hope that this would certainly include Russia and Ukraine, as well as the United States and NATO.
The Xinhua News Agency’s press release and the call with Putin did not start, but in the video meeting with Biden, I remember that Chinese leaders said the following words:
All parties should work together to support Russia Ukraine dialogue and negotiations to achieve results and peace.
The United States and NATO should also carry out dialogue with Russia to solve the crux behind the Ukrainian crisis and resolve the security concerns of Russia and Ukraine.
There are two old Chinese sayings. One is that “one palm cannot clap”, and the other is that “one who unties the bell must tie it.”.
The key is for the parties concerned to show political will, focus on the present and the future, and find appropriate solutions. Other parties can and should create conditions for this.
We still need to talk about Russia and Ukraine. The United States and NATO should also take responsible actions.
The third sentence: “China is willing to continue to play its due role in this regard.”
Don’t think that China has not acted. China has been acting.
During the video meeting with Biden in March, Chinese leaders clearly told Biden that China has been making every effort for peace and will continue to play a constructive role.
To be sure, China has its own way, which is certainly not the way of the United States.
Finally, what do you think?
Three simple sentences.
First, the world has paid close attention to this call. It can be viewed alone or in comparison with previous calls. One thing is still very interesting: although it is a Xinhua News Agency release, we can see from a series of wording what is a big responsibility, what is a big pattern, and what is a big feeling. Of course, there is also the diplomatic situation and personality charm of eclectic diplomacy.
Second, the yearning for a just and reasonable international order. Small countries aspire to it, and so do big countries. What does that mean that the United States should reflect? If there is a subtle difference, I think it is quite interesting. Putin mentioned a more just and reasonable international order, and Chinese leaders added a word: Global Governance (also fair and reasonable). We can appreciate the subtlety of words.
Third, pragmatic, pragmatic, pragmatic. Chinese leaders mentioned pragmatism, and Putin also mentioned pragmatism. 2022 is a bad year and the reality is cruel, but we must face the reality. The most important thing is to be pragmatic. Isn’t China’s “remarkable development achievements”, which Putin highly appreciates, the result of the practical work of Chinese people’s affairs?
The world has not seen a major change in a century. We still need to be pragmatic, calm, confident, pragmatic and do everything well. We need to look at the changes calmly. We have confidence and momentum on our side. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine affects the whole world, but it happens in Europe after all. For China, as long as we do our own thing well, the country is peaceful and the people are safe, and the people are united, why should we be afraid of it?
The play must start from the prologue, but the prologue is not the climax.