Russian Consulate in Cape Town

🇷🇺🤝🇨🇳 Consul General of Russia in Cape Town Ruslan Golubovskiy paid a courtesy call on Consul General of the People’s Republic of China You Wenze. 📌 The meeting was held against the backdrop of the visit of President of the Russia Vladimir Putin to China, giving it particular symbolic significance and underscoring the dynamic momentum of bilateral relations. 🎖 Mr.Golubovskiy extended congratulations to his Chinese colleagues on the Victory Day of the Second World War, commemorated in China on this date. Special emphasis was placed on the 80th anniversary of Victory — a milestone of exceptional historical importance for the peoples of both countries. 🤝 The conversation was held in an atmosphere of respect and cordiality, reaffirming the high level of cooperation and the shared commitment to its further development. #russianMFA#Victory80#RussiaChina#russianconsulate#CapeTown

🎙 Russia's President Vladimir Putin's interview to the Chinese news agency Xinhua ahead of his official visit to the People’s Republic of China (August 30, 2025) Key points: • The visit of our friend, President of China Xi Jinping, to Russia in May was a resounding success, drew wide international attention and was highly regarded in our country. His arrival coincided with a date that is sacred to us, the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. • The Chinese Leader was the principal guest of honour at the celebrations in Moscow. During our high-level talks, we held a very productive discussion of key issues in cooperation between our nations. The outcome was a comprehensive joint statement and the signing of a substantial package of bilateral documents. • The peoples of the Soviet Union and China bore the brunt of the fighting and suffered the heaviest losses. <...> Before the full-scale outbreak of the Second World War, in the 1930s, when Japan treacherously launched a war of aggression against China, the Soviet Union extended a helping hand to the Chinese people. • We see that in certain Western states the results of the Second World War are de facto revised, and the verdicts of the Nuremberg and Tokyo tribunals are openly disregarded. <...> Russia and China resolutely condemn any attempts to distort the history of the Second World War, glorify Nazis, militarists and their accomplices, members of death squads and killers, or to defame Soviet liberators. • At the invitation of President Xi, I will pay a return visit to China. I greatly look forward to visiting the city of Tianjin, which will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit under China's presidency. • The #SCO's appeal lies in its simple but powerful principles: a firm commitment to its founding philosophy, openness to equal cooperation, non-confrontation with third parties, and respect for the national characteristics and uniqueness of each nation. • I look forward to in-depth discussions with President Xi Jinping on all aspects of our bilateral agenda, including political and security cooperation, as well as economic, cultural and humanitarian ties. • The Russia-China strategic partnership acts as a stabilising force. As the two leading powers in Eurasia, we cannot remain indifferent to the challenges and threats facing our continent and the wider world. • Russia and China support reform of the UN so that it fully restores its authority and reflects modern realities. In particular, we advocate for making the Security Council more democratic by including states from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Any such reforms must, however, be approached with the utmost care. • Close cooperation between Moscow and Beijing has positively shaped the work of leading economic forums, including the #G20 and #APEC. We are working closely with China within #BRICS to expand its role as a key pillar of global architecture. Alongside our Chinese partners, we support the reform of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. • Economic relations between Russia and China have reached an unprecedented level. Since 2021, bilateral trade has grown by about 100 billion dollars. <...> While trade figures are denominated in US dollar equivalents, transactions between Russia and China are carried out in rubles and yuan. • Large-scale bilateral cultural and humanitarian initiatives make a significant contribution to fostering friendly relations. Education and science remain especially promising areas for cooperation. Academic mobility and inter-university contacts continue to grow. Today, more than 51'000 Chinese students are studying in Russia, while 21'000 Russian students are studying in China. Tourism is another important sphere I would like to note. The figures here are encouraging: by the end of 2024, mutual tourist flows had increased 2.5 times, reaching 2.8 million people. Read in full #RussiaChina

🇷🇺🇨🇳 On February 20, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the #G20 Ministerial in Johannesburg. The Parties praised the development of political dialogue and practical cooperation between Russia and China as a stabilising factor in the context of continuing turbulence of the global system. Special focus was placed on the work to ensure the implementation of the agreements reached between the two countries’ heads and preparations for the upcoming Russian-Chinese contacts at the high and highest levels in 2025. An in-depth discussion was held on global and regional problems, such as Eurasian security, developments in the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific Region, relations with the US, and Ukrainian crisis. 🇺🇳 The Foreign Ministers discussed the two countries’ cooperation within the UN and other international organisations and in various multilateral formats. ☝️ Wang Yi stressed that, while promoting initiatives for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, Beijing believes it necessary to eradicate its root causes in accordance with the corresponding principles of the UN Charter, above all unconditional respect for human rights. Special focus was placed on the #G20’s activities to build an equal dialogue between representatives of the Global Majority and the West in the financial and economic sphere based on everyone complying with the G20 mandate. The Ministers also compared their approaches on issues related to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and#BRICS. The conversation was held in the traditionally confidential and constructive spirit that characterises Russian-Chinese strategic partnership. #RussiaChina

🇨🇳🇷🇺Chinese New Year Festival opened in Moscow The event will unite two dozen locations: Manezhnaya, Tverskaya and Bolotnaya squares, Kamergersky and Stoleshnikov lanes, Tverskaya Boulevard, Novy Arbat, VDNKh. The festival is part of the cross program of events within the framework of the Years of Culture of Russia and China and will last until February 9. The opening ceremony of the festival was attended by Maria Zakharova, Director of the Department of Information and Press, official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Zhang Hanhui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Russian Federation and Deputy Mayor of Moscow Natalia Sergunina. "The festival's events are aimed at making Russians and Chinese more familiar with each other's customs and traditions." "A colorful program awaits guests, which will last 13 days. Last year the festival was held for the first time, but already then it was visited by more than 700 thousand people. I think this year the record will be broken," emphasized the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova. 🧧On the main platform of the festival - Manezhnaya Square - there will be performances with the participation of Chinese artists. In festive chalets, stylized as pagodas, visitors will be offered traditional cuisine - from Hong Kong waffles to Peking duck. And those who wish will be able to play xiangqi - an analog of chess. #HappyLunarNewYear#RussiaChina#RussianMFA

✍️Excerpts from Russia’s Foreign Ministry’s answers to media questions for Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s news conference on the performance of Russian diplomacy in 2024 #UkrainianCrisis Russia has pointed out on numerous occasions that it is ready for talks on a settlement in Ukraine. We stand for a truly final, just and lasting solution based on the elimination of the root causes of that crisis. A temporary ceasefire and a conflict freeze are unacceptable solutions. The West will inevitably use them to reinforce the Kiev regime’s military potential and to take a military revenge. We want reliable and legally binding agreements with mechanisms guaranteeing the non-resumption of the conflict. #RussiaChina#Victory80 This year, we are celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Great Victory across both the European and Asian theatres of conflict. The peoples of the Soviet Union and China, having shouldered the formidable burden of resisting the aggressors, valiantly withstood the severe trials and triumphed over the enemy, albeit at the cost of tremendous human and material sacrifices. The memory of this monumental achievement by our forebears remains sacred to our nations, serving to fortify the enduring Russian-Chinese friendship and instil a sense of patriotism in our youth. Russia and China are poised to celebrate this significant anniversary on a grand scale. #RussiaAfrica Russia has been systematically striving to enhance the full spectrum of relations with African states. The solid foundations of successful Russian-African collaboration lie in our shared objective of cultivating a just world and, to a large extent, a harmonious approach to addressing pressing international issues. #RussiaUSA Donald Trump’s return to the White House following last November’s presidential election significantly alters the political landscape within the US. However, from the perspective of Russian-American relations, given the bipartisan Russophobic consensus that has developed, premised on the perception of Russia as an existential threat to American hegemony, no substantial positive developments should be anticipated. <...> It must be emphasised that we are not harbouring any illusions about the new/old president. During his first term, contrary to expectations, the deterioration of bilateral ties initiated by Barack Obama persisted, and Donald Trump surpassed his predecessors in the scale of sanctions imposed against Russia. #RussiaIran Our bilateral cooperation has achieved an unprecedented level under the direction of the leaders of both nations. The conclusion of such a comprehensive agreement [Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran] marks a significant event, representing a new milestone in the history of bilateral relations. #RussiaSyria We remain hopeful that the Syrian people will successfully overcome the challenges they face and develop consensus decisions about the future of their state. We stand ready to provide the Syrians with all possible support. #Eurasia We are actively pursuing the development of a Eurasian security architecture grounded in the principles of equality and indivisibility, ensuring that the primary responsibility for resolving regional disputes and conflicts rests with the states of the continent. President Vladimir Putin proposed this initiative during a meeting with the Foreign Ministry leadership on June 14, 2024. Our concept is grounded in the principle that “regional problems require regional solutions.”Responsibility for resolving conflicts and preventing harmful external interference must rest collectively with the nations of Eurasia. #Orthodoxy#Faith#FreedomOfReligion Сertain elements within the American establishment, the so-called deep state, are using the Kiev regime and NATO mechanisms against the Russian Orthodox Church. We see what they are doing and how cynically they behave targeting canonical Orthodoxy, trying to sow discord among Orthodox believers in Europe.

📰 Presidential Aide Nikolay Patrushev gave an interview to Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper(January 14, 2025) Key points: #USA • The US establishment has been divided and lacks a common policy vision for the world and domestically. • Trump’s core message is that he supposedly has a plan to revive pragmatic politics in the United States, which is expected to benefit both the state and its people. It has yet to be seen how this compares with the interests of other countries and nations. • If Trump’s first term as president is any guide, the infamous deep state has a lot of clout in the USA. It can prevent Trump from pursuing his agenda. • Trump will not view Ukraine as a priority. China is a much bigger concern for him. • Trump has outlined his interests regarding Greenland, the Panama Canal, Mexico and Canada. There is an American tradition that consists of reshaping the world map to suit the US interests and interfering in the affairs of other countries across various continents. • It seems unlikely that Trump sends the army to invade new states for the United States, as some have been saying. What is clear, however, is that the new administration will be proactive in asserting its interests in its dealings with all these countries. #ChinaUS • I believe that disagreements between Washington and Beijing will escalate, and it will be the United States that will intentionally fan these flames. #RussiaChina • For Russia, China has been and will remain a key partner as part of our privileged strategic cooperation. These relations are immune to momentary consideration and will endure regardless of who gets into the Oval Office. #Ukraine • Talks on Ukraine must take place between Russia and the United States without any other Western countries. • The people of Ukraine remain a kindred, brotherly nation with our ties reaching back centuries, no matter what the Kiev propaganda mouthpieces say in their Ukrainisation frenzy. We do care about what is happening in Ukraine. #Moldova • Chisinau must be honest with itself and stop deceiving its people. The Moldovan authorities must recognise their mistakes and get down to mending fences instead of searching for enemies inside the country and in Transnistria. #Europe • We have nothing to discuss with either London or Brussels. For example, EU leadership has long lost the right to speak on behalf of many members including Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Romania and several other countries which are interested in ensuring stability in Europe and have adopted a balanced position towards Russia. Read in full

#Outcomes2024 🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to media questions during a news conference on the outcomes of Russian diplomacy in 2024 (January 14, 2025) Read in full *** 💬 FM Sergey #Lavrov: We are living in a historical era or confrontation between those who uphold the fundamental principles of international law <...> which have been formulated, set out and put forth in the most important international document – the UN Charter – and those who are not satisfied with that document, who decided <...> that they could not live in accordance with the wishes of the “political West”, <...> those who oppose multipolarity. President of Russia Vladimir Putin has repeatedly explained the true root causes of the special military operation in Ukraine. We had to begin to repel an attack, a war waged against us by the collective West with the main goal of suppressing competition when Russia re-emerged as its strong rival on the international arena. Their main goal was to weaken our country geopolitically, creating direct military threats to us right on our borders, on Russia’s native territories, <...> in an attempt to slash our strategic potential and devalue it as much as possible. The second reason also has to do with the history of the region, only it was more about the people who have lived on that land for centuries. <...> These people were labelled ‘terrorists’ by the current Ukrainian regime, which came to power through a coup d'etat. And when they refused to accept it, that regime launched an all-out offensive against all things Russian. <...> There has been a revival in efforts to oppose the Western diktat, with emerging economies and new centres of financial power in China, India, ASEAN, the Arab world, and CELAC. This group also includes a resurgent Russia together with its allies from the EAEU, the CIS, and CSTO. This also includes the SCO and #BRICS. The United States does not want to have any competitors anywhere, starting with the energy sector. <...> The United States and its allies have placed sanctions policies at the core of what they do on the international stage, including regarding Russia. This demonstrates their refusal to engage in fair economic competition and their commitment to using unfair, aggressive practices for suppressing their opponents. *** #CollectiveWest The West is intoxicated by its perceived “greatness,” its impunity, and its self-endowed authority to dictate the destinies of peoples worldwide. This reflects arrogance and a disdainful attitude towards the rest of the world. It is yet another brazen assertion that when we speak of “democracy,” it signifies merely one thing – “we do as we please.” <...> It is sheer hypocrisy, dictatorial behaviour, disrespect for the populace. #UN UN Security Council reform is needed. Not all countries that bear special responsibility in the global economy, finance, politics, and military affairs are represented in the UN Security Council. It has been pointed out repeatedly that countries such as India and Brazil have long earned permanent Security Council membership on all counts, as has Africa. #RussiaChina Russia-China partnership is among the key factors stabilising modern international life and the ongoing processes that are used, among other things, to escalate confrontation and hostility in international affairs, which is what our neighbours from NATO engage in under US guidance. #USA#Ukraine As soon as Donald Trump assumes the presidency and articulates his final stance on Ukrainian matters, we will examine it. <...> The increasing reference to the realities “on the ground” is a development likely to be welcomed. #RussiaSerbia Our relations with Serbia are grounded solely in the interests of the Serbian and Russian peoples, as well as our respective states. Our interests align on the vast majority of issues. These relations are rich with specific agreements and projects, including those in the energy sector, approved by our heads of state, governments, and companies.

🎙 President of Russia Vladimir Putinsummed up the results of the year and answered questions from journalists and the people of Russia in a live broadcast (December 19, 2024) #Sovereignty • Russia has become significantly stronger. We are becoming a truly sovereign country. We are capable of firmly standing on our feet when it comes to the economy. We are strengthening our defence capability. • Sovereignty is extremely important. It comes from within, should be embedded in the heart itself. #RussianEconomy • The situation in Russian economy is stable and solid. We are growing in spite of any external threats or attempts at outside influence. • International financial and economic institutions ranked Russia as Europe’sbiggest economy in terms of volume, in terms of purchasing power parity, and the world’s 4th largest economy. #UkrainianCrisis • If one were to look at the situation in 2022, knowing what is happening now, I would think the early 2022 decision [to start the special military operation] should have been made sooner. • We are ready to engage in dialogue without any preconditions. However, as I have mentioned numerous times before, based on the agreements that we reached during the negotiation process in Istanbul at the end of 2022 and proceeding from the current realities on the ground. • There is no indication in the Ukrainian constitution that the president's powers сould be extended. If one takes part in elections and becomes legitimate, then we will talk to that person, even if it's Zelensky. #Syria • Our position firmly aligns with international law and the sovereignty of all nations, including respect for Syria’s territorial integrity. This extends to supporting the stance of the current authorities governing the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic. • The main beneficiary of the developments in Syria is Israel. Russia condemns the seizure of Syrian territories. Our position on this matter is clear and unchanging. #NuclearDoctrine • [In the new Basic Principles of State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence] we are talking about some new military hazards that may grow into military threats. • If non-nuclear states threaten our existence, participate in an aggression against the Russian Federation alongside the countries that have nuclear weapons, we consider ourselves entitled to use nuclear weapons vs them. • If similar threats are posed to Belarus, our ally and member of the Union State, the Russian Federation will consider these threats as threats to Russia. And we will do everything to ensure the security of Belarus. #Oreshnik • Medium-range Oreshnik missile system is a modern, a brand new weapon which can strike targets located up to 5'500 km away. • Our missile needs a few seconds to start dispensing warheads There is no chance of shooting down these missiles. #BRICS • BRICS is not a tool for countering the West. We focus on our own interests and the interests of the group’s member countries. • Ensuring reciprocity, mutual respect and respecting each other’s interests have been our core guiding principles in this effort. We adopt all decisions by consensus. #RussiaChina • Everything [Russia and China] do in relation to each other and how we do it is based on absolute trust to policies of both Sides. We engage in nothing that contradicts our interests, and we do much that benefits both the Chinese people and the peoples of the Russian Federation. <...> The bilateral trade volume is estimated at $220-240 billion, and it continues to grow. #RussiaUSA • I don’t know when we will meet [with Donald Trump]. I haven't spoken to him for more than four years. I’m ready to talk any time and will be ready to meet with him. #Victory80 • We will be happy to see all those who wish to visit our country to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Victory over Nazism. • The losses of the US and Britain in World War II are incomparable to those of the Soviet Union. Their contribution varied, yet we all the same cherish their participation. Read in full

📰 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s article for Rossiyskaya Gazeta on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China (October 3, 2024) 🇷🇺🇨🇳 Russia and China: Partnership and friendship forged by time 💬 This year, alongside our Chinese partners, we mark a significant milestone which is the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The history of Russian-Chinese relations spans centuries, but October 2, 1949 holds a special place in it. On the second day after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Soviet Union recognised the New China and established diplomatic ties with it. In the early days of China as a fledgling state, the Soviet Union provided substantial support to it. Over the decades, the bilateral relationship has faced numerous strength tests, but, most importantly, we have shown strategic wisdom and perseverance. We succeeded in building an exemplary model of relations between neighbouring great powers rooted in neighbourliness, friendship, and cooperation. Russia has invariably placed high importance on strengthening cooperation with its great neighbour. Key points: • Today, Russian-Chinese cooperation has evolved to become a comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction on the cusp of a new era. According to our leaders, bilateral relations have soared to an unprecedentedly high level and never stop to be enriched with new content. ☝️We firmly believe that Russia needs a prosperous and stable China, just as China needs a strong and successful Russia. • In this day and age, as the world is undergoing truly tectonic shifts caused by the emerging multipolar international order, the Russia-China strategic partnership serves as a balancing force in international politics and contributes directly to the economic growth and the well-being of the people in both countries. • It is gratifying to note that, despite various restrictive measures imposed by the United States and its allies, the economies of Russia and China continue to grow dynamically. Our countries’ economic structures are highly complementary. For many years now, China has been our primary trading partner. • Our countries’ close interaction in the international arena is highly commendable. The Russia-China foreign policy partnership strengthens the legal foundations of the multipolar world order, takes into greater account the interests of the Global South and the Global East, helps overcome the legacy of colonialism, and counters modern neocolonial practices. 👉 Since the security system in Europe and the Euro-Atlantic region has been fully discredited by United States and other NATO countries, we suggest deploying serious collaborative efforts to build new Eurasian security architecture based on the regional- solutions-to-regional-problems principle, anchored in equality and indivisibility, and grounded in the existing multilateral associations within Eurasia. Read in full #RussiaChina

🗓 Today, on June 5, the XXVII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum has kicked off. The main theme of the event is "The Formation of New Areas of Growth as the Cornerstone of a Multipolar World". Over the years, the Forum has become the world's leading platform for the business community to communicate and discuss key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets and the world as a whole. 👨‍💼👩‍💼 More than 17,100 people from 136 countries and territories, as well as 3,400 media representatives are participating in SPIEF-2024. The plenary session of the Forum will traditionally be addressed by Russia's President Vladimir Putin, who has previously sent greeting to the participants, organisers and guests of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. The SPIEF-2024 business programme consists of four thematic tracks: 🔹 The Transition to a Multipolar World Economy; 🔹 Goals and Objectives of Russia’s New Economic Cycle; 🔹 Technologies for Leadership; 🔹 A Healthy Society, Traditional Values and Social Development: The Priority of the State. The programme includes more than 150 thematic sessions with over 1,000 moderators and speakers. In addition, events organised by the Russian Foreign Ministry will traditionally take place on the margins of the SPIEF: • On June 7, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold a briefing, as well as a session on "International and National Experiences of Artificial Intelligence Regulation: Best Practices"; • On June 8, The International Affairs, a magazine published by the Foreign Ministry, will hold a debate titled "Polycentricity: The Norm of a Future World without Colonies and Hegemons". 🤝 The programme of events of the SPIEF-2024 international track includes more than 10 business dialogues, including formats EAEU-ASEAN, #RussiaAfrica, #RussiaLatinAmerica, #RussiaChina, #RussiaSouthAfrica, #RussiaKazakhstan, #RussiaIndia, #RussiaIran, #RussiaBrazil and other bilateral meetings. The forum will last until June 8. #SPIEF2024