This year reinforced the concept that relations among big countries profoundly affect the evolution of the international situation. Cooperation and containment are the two main themes for the relations between big countries, says an article in People's Daily. Excerpts:

No one intends to challenge the judgment that "national interest" is the eternal rule of international politics. Yet, if big countries only see friends and foes, they will miscalculate their strategic positions.

The new leader of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping clearly said to a Russian delegation on Dec 19 that China sees Russia as its most important strategic cooperation partner.

Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed Xi's statements in his Dec 20 press conference saying that Sino-Russian ties are at a very high level now and both countries should strengthen their cooperation in all fields in international affairs.

China and Russia are setting a good example when it comes to good relations between big countries. Mutual trust is the foundation of their close ties. The mutual beneficial cooperation deepens the trust further.

The Sino-Russian strategic cooperation means not only that the two countries will cooperate with each other in dealing with specific international affairs, but will also restrain some countries' impulses to change game rules at their will.

The war in Syria is a good example, showing the important roles that China and Russia play in the modern world. Were it not for China and Russia, overthrowing a sovereign country's government through external intervention would have become a new game rule in today's world.

China and Russia will try their best to defend the principles and fairness of international relations and make further contributions to world peace and stability.