China Russia Photo: Xinhua

　　"Under the strategic guidance of the two presidents, China and Russia will continue following the purposes and principles of the treaty and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields so as to bring more benefits to our two peoples and provide more certainty and development confidence for the world," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press briefing on Thursday, in response to media inquiries regarding the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, which was signed by the two sides 25 years ago and has been extended.

　　The milestone treaty was signed by the two sides on July 16, 2001, establishing by law the institutional foundation of long-term good-neighborliness, friendship and comprehensive strategic coordination, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

　　Lin noted that in May this year, the heads of state held a successful meeting in Beijing. The two leaders reached consensus on extending the treaty, jointly steering China-Russia relations into a new phase featuring greater achievements and faster growth.

　　In an article published Thursday in the Russian daily Kommersant to mark the 25th anniversary of the landmark treaty, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the treaty has "successfully withstood the test of time" and "furnished a solid legal foundation for the entire multilayered architecture of Russian-Chinese cooperation."

　　Lavrov said that as a more equitable multipolar world order takes shape, the multifaceted partnership between Russia and China stands as a model for interstate engagement founded on equality, a balance of interests, and mutual advantage.