Russian PM offers nation’s assistance in disaster relief as both sides vow stronger cooperation
President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Beijing on Dec 20, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
President Xi Jinping pledged support to the Russian people in choosing their own path of development, while calling for more robust bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, energy, and connectivity.
During a meeting in Beijing with visiting Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Dec 20, Xi said the two nations should continue to enrich their bilateral cooperation by giving full play to the advantages of political mutual trust, economic complementarity, infrastructure connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.
He highlighted the need for joint efforts to safeguard the security and stability of industrial and supply chains.
The president hosted Mishustin, who made his second visit to China this year for a regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government, at the Great Hall of the People. The two also met during Xi’s state visit to Russia in March.
Xi said the two nations have already met the target of increasing annual bilateral trade to $200 billion in the January-November period, a target set jointly by him and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which demonstrated the strong resilience and broad prospects of mutually beneficial cooperation.
He stressed that boosting bilateral ties was the strategic choice made by both sides based on the fundamental interests of their peoples.
Xi expressed Beijing’s readiness to work with Moscow to take the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year as a new starting point to continuously expand the positive effects of the high-level political relationship.
In doing so, both nations can continue to jointly move forward in the process of comprehensively promoting economic and social development and realizing national rejuvenation, he added.
Xi underlined the strong resilience, vast potential, and broad room for maneuver of the Chinese economy, saying that its long-term positive fundamentals remain unchanged.
He reiterated Beijing’s commitment to promoting high-quality development and high-level opening-up, which he said will provide new opportunities for the development of all countries, including Russia.
The president called for joint efforts to ensure that the China-Russia Cultural Year in 2024 and 2025 is a success, including steps to design and carry out a variety of rich and colorful cultural and people-to-people exchange activities.
The goal is to consolidate social and public support for the everlasting friendship between the two countries, he explained.
The Russian prime minister stressed Moscow’s readiness to further tap into potential and expand cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, and connectivity.
He conveyed the condolences of the Russian government and people to Xi in regard to the magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck Gansu and Qinghai provinces late on Dec 18, saying that Russia is willing to provide rescue assistance as needed.
Xi expressed gratitude, and said that China is making every effort to carry out rescue efforts and is doing its best to protect the lives and property of the people.
The people in the affected areas will surely be able to overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, he added.
Xu Poling, director of the Department of Russian Economy of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the high level of ties and strong political mutual trust between Beijing and Moscow have been evident in the frequent meetings between leaders from both countries.
On Dec 19, Premier Li Qiang and Mishustin stressed their shared commitment to enhancing the internal dynamics of bilateral relations and building up trade and agricultural cooperation.
The two leaders jointly presided over the 28th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government.
They announced the successful conclusion of the China-Russia Year of Sports Exchange for 2022 to 2023, and vowed to ensure the success of the China-Russia Year of Culture from 2024 to 2025.
Li said that Beijing aims to take next year’s 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations as an opportunity to carry forward the lasting friendship between the two nations.
Mishustin said that bilateral ties are at the highest level and have maintained rapid development momentum.
