The senior scientist of the Center for Studying World Problems under the Xinhua Agency and the Institute of Social Development of Eurasia under the State Council of the CPR, Sheng Siliang, is a member of the Board of the Chinese Research Center for the Economy of Russia and Central Asia and the Chinese Research Center of the SCO. The Chinese expert told Vestnik Kavkaza about Syria, Karabakh and Ukraine at the Valdai Forum.
- How does China assess the Russian operation in Syria?
- The struggle against extremists and terrorists is a right thing. Of course China supports Russia’s struggle against Islamic State. If the Americans provide a real fight against terrorism, China supports them as well. But I think that Russia is more effective than the U.S. in its activities.
- It is well-known that China is acting intensively in Central Asia, but are there any joint projects with the South Caucasus states?
- There are traditionally friendly and good relations between China and Azerbaijan. We have had good relations with Georgia and Armenia as well. I think it is right. These are small countries which have no powerful resource potential, so they have to provide their independent foreign policy, preserving good relations with America, Russia, China and the EU.
However, a much more important problem for the South Caucasus countries is to improve relations between each other. You know that there are various bilateral conflicts and territorial disputes between these three countries. The problems must be solved peacefully, through negotiation. As for the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, for example, the acute phase of the conflict is over, but the problem is not solved. Only through negotiation can it be resolved – military clashes won’t help.
- What do you think about Russia’s role in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
- A settlement is possible only through negotiation. In the past, there were hotheads; today politicians are more cool-headed. There are various options. China and Russia managed to share Bolshoi Ussuriisky Island, which we called Black Bear Island. This is one of the options in the settlement of territorial conflicts.
- Today many experts believe that the unipolar world order is being ruined. Do you think this is true?
- I don’t say that we have already shifted to a multipolar world. The U.S. is still playing the leading role in the military sphere, politics and economics. America is an all-round champion.
China has the second major economy in the world, but we are weak in other spheres. We have a huge population, and the powerful GDP is a small sum per capita. However, today the situation has improved in comparison with the Cold War period. It is better than after the collapse of the USSR, as Russia is reviving at the moment, and the world is becoming more balanced.
- How does Beijing see the developments in Ukraine?
- Speaking about Crimea, we have to apply the law. Crimea belonged to Russia till 1954.
China supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, but we have a complicated point of view on the Crimean issue. The improvement of Russian-Ukrainian relations meets the interests of China. Ukraine is an important country for Russia, and Russia is an important country for Ukraine.
I think it would be better for Ukraine to improve its relations with Russia, the U.S., and the EU. Even though Ukraine is one of the biggest countries in Europe, it is much smaller than the U.S. and Russia. It shouldn’t confront its neighbors. I think it is important for Ukraine to balance relations with the West and Russia.
