BOAO /China/, March 28. /TASS/. Strengthening the process of Russia's economic integration into Asia's industry is extremely important for the development of the entire region. Chinese economist and former Vice-President, University of International Business and Economics Lin Guijun said this on Tuesday.

"In its cooperation with Asia, Russia supplies natural resources to the region, which is extremely important for Asian countries," he said at the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan, in response to a question made by a TASS reporter about the impact of Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Moscow on the development of China and the entire region. "Therefore, if the Russian Federation can integrate into Asia's industry, it will undoubtedly be extremely important for Asia."

According to the expert, Moscow is also interested in strengthening economic contacts with the Asian region. Lin Guijun believes that the Ukrainian crisis has accelerated the process of shifting the focus of Russia's national strategy in the eastern direction.

The economist also noted that Asia's rapid growth and the increasing scale of the region's economy could attract Russia's attention and increase its confidence in the prospects for cooperation in this direction.

Xi Jinping visited Russia last week. On March 20, the Chinese leader had a one-on-one conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin which lasted four and a half hours, and the next day he spent about six hours attending meetings at the Kremlin. The two sides signed two statements at the end of the visit and called it a success.