DM Monitoring
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday praised Russia-China relations and expressed readiness to deepen bilateral cooperation.
“We have great trust in each other. We have managed to foster very sustainable, reliable, well-functioning ties in different domains and spheres,” Putin said via a video conference at the 17th annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club, a Russian think tank.
“My friend, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and I talk to each other on a regular basis, discussing what we have to do based on what we have achieved. We always search for new opportunities to move forward,” he said during a Q&A session.
Putin hailed Russia-China cooperation in aviation, energy, trade, infrastructure, humanitarian and military technology areas.
“Our cooperation in the international arena is an important stabilizing factor in world affairs, which is absolutely evident,” the Russian leader noted.
Russia is willing to continue cooperation with China based on mutual respect and trust to maximize the benefits of both peoples, he said.
On the occasion of celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Second World War (WWII) in September, Xi exchanged messages with Putin, saying he is ready to work with the Russian president to join efforts with the international community to resolutely safeguard the victory of the WWII as well as international fairness and justice. Russia, Putin said, is willing to continue making active efforts with friendly China to prevent war and conflicts and to safeguard global stability and security.
In August, the two leaders congratulated each other on the start of the Year of Scientific and Technological Innovation between the two countries. Xi said the two countries’ successful practice in jointly fighting the pandemic and tiding over difficulties would surely be transformed into a powerful driving force for strengthening bilateral exchanges and cooperation.
During Xi’s visit to Russia in June 2019, he and Putin announced that 2020 and 2021 would be designated the Year of Scientific and Technological Innovation, the first national theme year with such a title between the two countries.
In his message, Putin said scientific and technological innovation is one of the most promising areas of cooperation between Russia and China that will determine the future of the two countries and have a bearing on the improvement of the living standards of the two peoples.
In a phone conversation held in July, Xi and Putin compared notes on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, and vowed firm mutual support in safeguarding sovereignty.
While dealing with the coronavirus epidemic for a relatively long period of time, the two sides should explore flexible and diverse means to speed up the resumption of work and production in all fields of bilateral cooperation, suggested the Chinese president.
In his part, Putin said Russia and China both value their own national sovereignty and security and have firmly supported each other all the time.
