China, Russia note strategic importance tied to relationship

The mutual trust and cooperation between Russia and China are stronger now than at any time in the past, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday, expressing satisfaction at the development that relations between the two nations has taken.

Putin, while meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow with Li Zhanshu, director of the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also said he was looking forward to attending the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing next month and meeting with President Xi Jinping.

Putin said that Russia supports the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

Li said that regardless of fluctuations in situations around the world, China and Russia will not change their policies of cementing and deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination; their goals to realize common development and rejuvenation; their determination to safeguard international fairness and justice; and securing global peace and stability.

Putin said the current Russia-China high-level exchanges are intensive, and have fostered steady progress in exchanges of all areas through enhanced cooperation on the economy and trade, Putin said.

The two countries have made effective communication and coordination on global and regional affairs an important aspect of their relationship, he added.

Li also said the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries is stronger than it has ever been and serves as an example of how an international relationship should be, with win-win cooperation as its core.

China-Russia relations have matured and are stable as they further develop, Li said.

China is willing to work with Russia to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries so they can better serve the interactions between their leaders and the development of ties, Li said.

He said China and Russia need to support each other on core issues and major concerns, further deepen cooperation in various fields, implement major projects of strategic significance and advance pragmatic cooperation at high levels.

Also on Wednesday, Li met with Anton Vaino, chief of staff of the Russian Presidential Executive Office, and Sergei Ivanov, special presidential representative for environmental protection, ecology and transportation.

Jin Yong, a professor of international relations at the Communication University of China, said the communication between the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Russian Presidential Executive Office is unique for both countries in dealing with foreign affairs.

Such communication demonstrates the unique connection shared by the upper levels of both governments, he said.

Ruan Zongze, executive vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, said the meeting between Putin and Li has sent a signal that the high-level political trust between China and Russia is stable, which is important in safeguarding world peace.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/28/2017 page1)