Xi Jinping: Developing and Strengthening of Chinese-Russian relations is a strategic choice of the both states

Developing and strengthening Chinese-Russian relations is a strategic choice of our two countries, the Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Sunday during the meeting at the Diaoyutai State Residence with the Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived to attend the High Level Forum on International Cooperation under "The Belt and The Road" project.
Xi Jinping noted that China and Russia are good neighbors, good friends and reliable partners. Since the beginning of the year, Chinese-Russian relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction continue developing at a high level. New results in bilateral cooperation in various fields were already achieved.
He further said that in 2017, both parties had developed and now were actively implementing plans for various events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of establishment of the Chinese-Russian Friendship, Peace and Development Committee and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society. This made it possible to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of two countries, provided a solid social foundation for development of Chinese-Russian relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction.

Xi Jinping: The development and strengthening of Chinese-Russian relations is a strategic choice of the two states. (Xinhua)
Under difficult and volatile conditions in the world, China and Russia, as major powers, have shown a sense of responsibility, making efforts to resolve "burning" problems politically, and have played the role of a "ballast stone" in ensuring stability and peace both in the region and around the world, Xi Jinping stressed.
Calling the development and strengthening of Chinese-Russian relations the strategic choice of two states, Xi Jinping pointed out that no matter how the international situation changes, but China and Russia should make every effort to ensure successful development of bilateral relations. Both sides should expand cooperation in trade, economic, energy and other traditional sectors, pay attention to the effective implementation of important projects, intensify scientific, technical and innovation cooperation, promote raising the level of practical cooperation and achieve even greater results in this area.
Xi Jinping emphasized the need to strengthen strategic cooperation between China and Russia, jointly promote the continuous and stable growth of the global economy, peacefully resolve "hot" international and regional problems, and improve the global management system. Both countries should contribute even more to maintaining peace and stability around the world, he said.
Xi Jinping said that in May 2015, China and Russia had reached a strategic understanding on issue of interlinking of the "The Belt and The Road" construction and Eurasian Economic Union, that caused a positive reaction and support from other EAEU member countries. For two years, cooperation on interlinking of "The Belt and The Road" and EAEU had been steadily developing and at least brought noticeable results. At the same time, he announced the readiness of the Chinese party to work together with Russia for regular achievement of real results of cooperation in this regard.
Xi Jinping said that China wants to expand practical cooperation with EAEU and promote the interconnecting of projects within the context of interlinking of "The Belt and The Road" development and EAEU. In his opinion, China and Russia need to provide favorable conditions for development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and identifying the role of SCO in interlinking of "The Belt and The Road" development and EAEU.
V. Putin first of all congratulated on the successful start of the High Level Forum on International Cooperation within the framework of "The Belt and The Road" project, emphasizing the timeliness of China's launch of "The Belt and The Road" Initiative and decision to hold this forum.
V. Putin appreciated the high level of development of Russian-Chinese relations, frequent high-level contacts and close ties between governments and parliaments. He drew attention to the rapid growth of bilateral trade turnover and some improvement of its structure.
The head of the Russian state announced Russia's readiness to make common efforts together with China to provide effective interlinking of EAEU and the Silk Road Economic Belt and promote the implementation of major bilateral projects.
V. Putin marked out the importance of expanding cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China in the fields of trade, energy, manufacturing, education, tourism, physical culture and sports, as well as facilitating of interaction between the regions of two countries.
According to him, the fact that Russia and China maintain active contacts and coordination of actions on the most important issues of the international agenda, providing each other with support, is an important stabilizing factor for the international community.
Heads of two states exchanged their views on the international and regional issues of mutual interest, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Source: russian.china.org.cn