Xi Jinping Meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin
On February 6, 2014, President Xi Jinping met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia. Putin expressed sincere thanks and a warm welcome to Xi Jinping for coming to Russia at the invitation especially for the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics and relevant activities. On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, Xi Jinping wishes Sochi Winter Olympics a success. Being close, friendly and practical, the two heads of state comprehensively summarized the development and the important outcomes of China-Russia relations over the past year, made strategic planning and deployment of bilateral cooperation in the coming year, and reached important consensus on strengthening bilateral strategic coordination on major international and regional issues.
Xi Jinping said, I am very glad to attend the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin. Russia holds the Sochi Winter Olympics while the Chinese people are celebrating the Spring Festival of the Chinese Year of the Horse. It is the double happiness. The Sochi Winter Olympics is a symbol that President Vladimir Putin leads the Russian people going to prosperity and strength. China and Russia are good neighbors, good partners and good friends. By the Chinese tradition, when a neighbor is holding a happy event, I should certainly come to you to extend my congratulations, and share happiness with the Russian people as well. I believe that under the sophisticated organization of the Russian side, this Winter Olympics will surely be splendid and turn out to be an unforgettable sports event. It will make new contributions to the development of the cause of Olympics. I wish Sochi Winter Olympics an immediate success and the Chinese and Russian athletes take the lead in the arena.
Putin said that he extends a warm welcome and sincere thanks to President Xi Jinping for making a special trip to attend the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics and shared with the Russian people this grand event. The Spring Festival is the time for the Chinese people to visit friends and family relatives. President Xi’s trip to Russia this time is a visit to good friends. He wishes President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people a happy New Year and a successful Year of the Horse. Wish the Chinese athletes get good scores at the Sochi Winter Olympics.
Xi Jinping pointed out, with the joint efforts of both sides, the series of important cooperative consensus I reached with President Vladimir Putin have been well implemented, and cooperation in various fields has made a batch of new achievements. I cherish very much the good situation of the development of China-Russia relations, and I am willing to continue the efforts with President Vladimir Putin in the New Year to move forward the bilateral relations.
Xi Jinping stressed, we should keep tapping the huge potential to foster new growth point of cooperation, working for smooth promotion of cooperation on major strategic projects, carrying out as scheduled the projects of increasing supply of oil and natural gas from Russia to China, the expansion of the oil pipelines, the construction of joint-venture refineries and others, and expanding cooperation in nuclear power, electricity, coals, and other fields. China welcomes Russia to participate in the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road, making it the new platform for the development of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination. We have jointly announced the launch of China-Russia Youth Friendly Exchanges Year program in 2014 and 2015, and will make the program an excellent and high-level one.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Russia have coordinated closely on major international and regional issues, especially the joint participation of escorting the shipping of Syrian chemical weapons. China and Russia should continue strengthening consultations and cooperation on major international issues in the future and jointly safeguard the peace, security and stability of the world and the region.
Xi Jinping pointed out, President Vladimir Putin and I have decided to co-host in 2015 the celebration events for the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and China’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. We hope that both sides will do a good job together for organizing the related activities. It is to always remember the history as a warning to posterity.
Vladimir Putin noted that Russia-China relationship continues its rapid development with remarkable achievements. The bilateral trade valume reached US$87 billion last year. He is fully confident to achieve the goal of US$100 billion for bilateral trade in 2015. Russia is glad to see the substantial growth of China’s investment in Russia, the smooth development of bilateral cooperation in energy, military, security and other fields, and the sustained close cooperation in international affairs. The naval vessels of the two countries jointly participate in the shipping of the Syrian chemical weapons. It demonstrates that Russia and China have together made important contributions to safeguarding the world peace and the regional security. In the coming year, he is willing to continue the close contact with President Xi Jinping, working together to promote cooperation in exploration of oil and gas, nuclear energy, aerospace, communications, cultural and person-to-person exchanges and other fields. Russia hopes to give full play to the role of China-Russia Prime Ministers' Regular Meeting mechanism to strongly push forward major cooperative projects. Russia is positive to China’s proposal of the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road, and is willing to connect Russia’s Trans-Eurasia railway with the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road to create much more benefits.
Vladimir Putin said that the heinous crimes of the Nazi forces invading the Soviet Union and other European countries and of the Japanese militarism against the Chinese people and other victims in Asian countries cannot be forgotten. Russia is willing to join the efforts with China to do a good job for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and China’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.
They as well exchanged views on situation in Ukraine, the situation of the Korean Peninsula, and other issues.
Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and others were present at the meeting.
