MOSCOW, December 12. /TASS/. Remarks by US President-elect, Donald Trump, on China may set the tone for a new stage in relations between the two countries, while Russia should take advantage of this moment in a more global context to meet collective security and cooperation interests, Chairman of Russia’s Federation Council International Affairs Committee, Konstantin Kosachev, wrote on his Facebook page on Monday.
The senator noted that of all Trump’s statements and actions so far the most noteworthy one was his telephone conversation with Taiwan’s president and subsequent remarks that the US does not have to stick to its "one China" policy unless it makes a deal with China "having to do with other things, including trade." "Against this backdrop, the US media are elaborating on the idea that, coupled with Trump’s promise to increase import duties on Chinese goods by 45%, his stance on Taiwan is plunging relations between the US and China into their worst condition over the past decades," Kosachev added.
"Perhaps, in view of this, the time has come for more vigorous diplomatic efforts on the part of Russia, which has every opportunity to use the existing advanced relations with China and a new stage in relations with the US for more global purposes that would meet the collective security and cooperation interests. It is important not to waste a chance," the parliamentarian wrote.
He also noted that, amid disagreements between Washington and Beijing, the US media describe the Russian-Chinese relations as the best ever, which is true, according to Kosachev. Nevertheless, he believes Moscow should not be overjoyed with the fact that Russia "has eventually surpassed America." "For all intents and purposes, global economic conditions, including the demand for energy, which is so important for Russia, and stability of exchange rates, which is no less important, depends in a very large measure on the US-Chinese relations," he stressed. The senator cited the statistics, according to which the trade turnover between the US and China amounted to $558 bln in 2015. He added that China "daily sends goods worth €1 bln" to Europe, while "one sea container per second" is dispatched from Europe to China.
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