MOSCOW, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Coordination and cooperation between Russia and China have become a stabilizing factor in international affairs, Russian President Vladimir Putin said here on Saturday.

    "The foreign policies of Russia and China follow similar principles -- pragmatism and constantly safeguarding national interests," Putin told Xinhua in an exclusive interview prior to his visit to China on March 21-22.

    "I would like to point out once again that the experience of Russia-China cooperation clearly indicates coordination and cooperation between Russia and China have become a stabilizing factor in international affairs," he said.

    Putin enumerated the fields of Russia-China cooperation in international efforts, including international security, anti-terrorism, prevention of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, fight against organized crimes and drug trafficking, prevention of deterioration of the ecological system, elimination of poverty and control of pandemics, where whether efforts of the international community will be successful relies on Russia-China cooperation in many respects, he said.

    On reform of the UN Security Council and the United Nations at large, Putin said that both Russia and China maintain that any such reform should be carried out in a balanced way based on extensive agreement among member countries.

    He mentioned a joint statement on world order in the 21st century signed with Chinese President Hu Jintao in July 2005, describing it as a very important systematic document, which constitutes a great contribution to the system of international security and and stability.

    According to Putin, both Russia and China agree that negative impacts of "double standards" on international affairs are constantly obvious; serious problems in arms control and nonproliferation still exist; and signs of conflict among different civilizations are making themselves increasingly obvious," he said.

    It should be acknowledged that such conflict has not only been caused by terrorism and extremism, but is also a result of the move of someone to handle international relations in ideology-based and stereotyped ways, and their attempt to forcibly"export democracy" and impose their own cultures, standards of living and values on other people, Putin said.

    Putin said that both Russia and China have been calling for mutual tolerance among all nations and all religions, noting that international efforts are needed to maintain harmony between different civilizations.

    He said that the strategic partnership between Russia and Chinais transparent, is not directed against any third party and is of realistic promotional effects to establishing a fairer international order. Enditem