'Russia, China not competitors in Central Asia'

Russia and China do not compete in Central Asia but respect each other's interests there, a senior Russian diplomat said Monday.

"The Central Asian region is an important area of Russia-China relations. We don't compete with each other in Central Asia but conduct our policy taking into account mutual interests," Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov told a press briefing ahead of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan's capital of Bishkek.

Noting China recognized Russia's traditional role in the region, Morgulov said Moscow and Beijing saw an opportunity for close cooperation as the two economies were complementary.

"China possesses sizable financial resources while Russia possesses experience, technologies, industrial skills and historical relations with the region," Interfax news agency quoted Morgulov as saying.

Regarding the possible US attack on Syria, Morgulov said the Syrian settlement would be on the agenda of the Bishkek summit.

"SCO member countries have very similar positions on this subject. All of us consider a foreign military campaign unauthorized by the UN Security Council will constitute a violation of international law," he said.

"I believe that the final Bishkek declaration will present a consolidated position of SCO member countries regarding this matter," he said.

The 13th meeting of the Council of Heads of the SCO Member States is slated for Sept. 13.