During their meeting in Sochi, Putin echoed China's appeal to build the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road. He expressed that Russia is willing to promote cooperation with China in the exploration of oil and natural gas, nuclear energy, space, aviation, telecommunication and cultural exchanges. The Russians believe the connection of Russia's Trans-Eurasia Railway to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road will create significant profits for both sides. Bilateral trade was $87 billion in 2013, and Russia is confident in realizing the goal of reaching a $100-billion bilateral trade volume in 2015, said Putin.

The Silk Road Economic Belt starts from China, traverses Central Asia and Russia, and ends in Europe. It could potentially be extended to North Africa. Moreover, the Maritime Silk Road, which China vows to build in collaboration with Southeast Asian nations, can guide Russian energy resources and products to bigger markets.

"The abutting joint will bring cooperation on the Eurasian Continent to a new height," said Feng Yujun, a senior research fellow with the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR). "It will firmly support realizing the goal of China-Russia trade reaching $200 billion in 2020." He added that large-scale projects between the two sides in fields like crude oil, natural gas, oil pipelines, joint-venture refineries and infrastructural facilities will not only advance industrial advantages complementary of the two sides, but also will push forward regional economic cooperation.

International interaction

China and Russia have maintained active interaction on international affairs, such as the Syrian chemical weapons issue, the Korean Peninsula situation and the post-World War II order, forming an integrated point of their common interests. During their meeting in Sochi, the two presidents also exchanged ideas on promoting ties and major projects, and on regional and international issues. They also held a video conference with captains of Chinese and Russian naval vessels escorting the shipments of Syrian chemical weapons, demonstrating strong mutual trust.

Feng from the CICIR pointed out that China and Russia not only focus on coordinating and supporting each other's interests, but are also making joint efforts to maintain regional and international peace and stability as the world undergoes major changes.

Xi and Putin agreed the two countries would jointly mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in 2015. Since Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reassumed office in 2012, he has worked to amend the country's pacifist Constitution, showing a clear rightward tendency. Abe visited the Yasukuni Shrine, which worships Japan's war dead, including war criminals, in December 2013, causing regional tension among its neighbors—victims of Japanese militarism during World War II.

The two presidents' agreement issues a clear warning to Japan. Ruan Zongze, Vice President of the China Institute of International Studies, said that as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major anti-fascist forces, China and Russia share a consensus to uphold historical facts. They have the responsibility and shared interests to safeguard the postwar order, said Ruan. In 2010, China and Russia issued a joint statement to mark the 65th anniversary of the end of the war.

Coping with Japan's shift to the right has created a new area of cooperation between China and Russia, as both of them require a peaceful environment to fulfill their development goals. Feng from the CICIR said besides terrorism, Russia is also highly alert to the revival of militarism in Japan. China and Russia have a common stance on safeguarding regional peace and security, he said.

World War II ended 69 years ago. Currently, Japan's national strategy is undergoing significant adjustments. Some Japanese politicians are unsatisfied with the postwar international order, and are attempting to challenge the current world order, posing a major threat to peace and security to the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world.

"China and Russia have been adhering to the stance of guarding the achievement of the international anti-fascist war and protecting the postwar order," said Xing from the CASS. "The two presidents are reminding the world through their agreement of commemorating the victory of World War II that the historic tragedy should never be repeated."

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