Although some Western countries have expressed their disapproval of Sino-Russian cooperation and seek to distort the economic and trade ties between the two countries as proof that China is supporting Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, this is part and parcel of the "evil empires" guff they are peddling to the gullible.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated categorically that "China-Russia cooperation does not target any third party, nor is it subject to disruption or coercion by any third party."

Her back-in-your-face response was a rebuttal of the disapprobation voiced by the usual parties at China hosting a delegation led by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The visit is intended to give substance to the agreement reached between the two heads of state to promote greater complementarity and joint development of traditional trade and emerging areas of cooperation.

China is Russia's largest trading partner, with trade between the two sides reaching a record $190 billion last year, according to Chinese customs data.

Energy is an obvious lubricant for greater cooperation. Russia has it to sell and China wants to buy it. China became Russia's top energy customer last year.

But trade between the two countries is more than just energy. Thanks to their complementary trade structures, the value of China-Russia imports and exports soared 41.3 percent on a yearly basis to $73.15 billion in the first four months of 2023, indicating a bright prospect for the two countries to realize the goal of $200 billion for bilateral trade, a target set by the two leaders for this year.

In today's turbulent world, that China and Russia are making efforts to expand their cooperation and strengthen ties should be perceived as a contribution to world peace, stability and development. Only those with a narrow world view and clinging to the Cold War mentality would question its purpose.

Guided by the two heads of state, China and Russia have blazed a path of major-country relations featuring strategic trust and good neighborliness, setting a good example for international relations.

But China, like the majority of the countries in the world, has adopted a different stance than the West over the Ukraine conflict, which forms a stark contrast to what the US-led Western countries have been doing in imposing sanctions on Russia and constantly fanning the war flames in Ukraine. For this reason, the US-led clique is trying to stigmatize China's relations with Russia.

Despite all the brickbats, China will continue to strengthen its cooperation with Russia while at the same time pushing for a lasting diplomatic resolution of the Ukraine crisis.