Xi says ready to join Putin in making plans for bilateral ties, practical cooperation

MOSCOW, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Tuesday that he would like to work with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to make plans for bilateral ties and practical cooperation so as to promote the development and revitalization of the two countries.

Xi made the remarks during his talks with Putin.

Noting that China and Russia are each other's largest neighbor, Xi said that to consolidate and develop long-term good-neighborly and friendly relations with Russia conforms to the historical logic and is China's strategic choice, which will not be affected by any turn of events.

Since his first state visit to Russia 10 years ago, Xi said, China and Russia have respected, trusted and benefited each other, and the relationship between the two countries has stood firm with time, presenting more comprehensive, more practical and more strategic features.

No matter how the international situation changes, China will continue to promote the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, Xi said, adding that his state visit to Russia is a journey of friendship, cooperation and peace.

China is ready to work with Russia to build on past achievements, enrich the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, bring more benefits to the people of the two countries, and make greater contribution to human progress.

Xi pointed out that with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Russia relations have always maintained a vigorous, healthy and stable development momentum.

The two countries have deepened political mutual trust, converging interests and people-to-people bonding, and have continued to advance cooperation in economy, trade, investment, energy, people-to-people and cultural exchanges as well as cooperation at local levels, Xi said.

Xi said that he had good exchanges with President Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin since arrival, and reached many important consensuses with them.

China-Russia cooperation is covering more areas, building greater consensus and delivering early harvests, Xi said, noting that more cooperation is being comprehensively advanced.

Noting that China is in the first year of fully implementing the guiding principles set forth by the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xi said that China will foster a new development paradigm at a faster pace, promote high-quality development, and advance Chinese modernization in all respects.

Pointing out that Russia is pursuing its national development goals through 2030, Xi said that the two sides need to step up communication and coordination for new and greater progress in practical cooperation.

Xi expressed his readiness to work with Putin to provide guidance and instructions for the bilateral relations and practical cooperation to boost the development and rejuvenation of both countries.