Page 181 - Trilateral Korea Japan U.S. Cooperation

China has officially displayed a certain level of distance in
response to the strengthening cooperation between North
Korea and Russia. For example, Mao Ning, a spokesperson
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, officially
announced on the day of the Sept. 13 Kim-Putin summit
that “The North Korean leader’s visit to Russia is something
between their two countries and concerns North Korea-
9
Russia relations.” Subsequently, Wang Yi, a member of
the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and
Foreign Minister, visited Russia to attend the 18th China-
10
Russia Strategic Security Consultations. Wang Yi held talks
with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on September
11
18 2023, and two days later, on September 20, engaged in
12
discussions with President Putin.

During his visit, Wang Yi criticized “unilateral action” and
“hegemony and bloc,” which were implicitly aimed at the
United States and mentioned that through multilateralism
and multi-polarization of the world, strategic cooperation
between China and Russia should continue to strengthen,
fostering a more equitable and rational development of global
leadership. The Chinese Foreign Ministry also stated that

8 中华人民共和国外交部. “中华人民共和国和俄罗斯联邦关于深化新时代全面战略协作伙伴关
系的联合声明” (2023年3月22日). (In English also?? Google version:) Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
People’s Republic of China. “Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation
on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination for a New Era"
9 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. “Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s
Regular Press Conference on September 13, 2023” (September 13, 2023).
10 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. “China and Russia Hold the 18th Round of

Strategic Security Consultation” (September 19, 2023).

Chapter Ten : The Stability and Sustainability of South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation 181