BEIJING, October 23. /TASS/. The pairing of China’s marquee Belt and Road Initiative with the underlying strategy of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will not only ensure regional economic integration, but will also give a major boost to the development of Russian-Chinese relations at a new qualitative level, Qian Feng, expert of the National Strategic Institute of Tsinghua University and senior researcher at the Taihe Institute, told TASS.
"The intensive pairing of the Belt and Road Initiative with the EAEU strategy at the upcoming stage is capable of not only promoting the unity of Central Asian countries, and through joint efforts [of the interested parties] to advance economic integration in Eurasia, <...> but also of serving as another pillar for supporting the development of Sino-Russian relations at a [qualitatively] higher level," he emphasized, while commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Beijing and the significance of this trip for further interaction between China and Russia.
Qian recounted that this visit marked the Russian leader’s first trip to China since the start of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine and Putin’s second meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping this year. "This (the Putin-Xi summit meetings - TASS) was of great importance for the promotion of Sino-Russian relations in the right direction at the next stage," Qian emphasized.
He explained that there had been a number of important stages in the development of relations between the two countries over the past 30 years. As a result, interstate ties between China and Russia "have become a model of comprehensive strategic partnership, bringing many positive results." According to Qian, the key impetus is "the strategic guidance of the two leaders, their strong faith in the successful development of China-Russia relations and their determination to ensure the well-being of the peoples of China and Russia through friendly, good-neighborly cooperation."
Qian said the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was launched against the background of processes contributing to the continuous strengthening of Sino-Russian relations.
"It (the BRI - TASS) has contributed to their optimization, especially toward focusing on strategic ties, developing communications, trade and finance, and private interpersonal contacts. This has shaped the special quality of China-Russia relations, the specifics of joint development and the prosperity of the two countries," he summarized.
Putin's visit to China
Putin and Xi met in Beijing on October 18 during the Belt and Road Forum. The two heads of state held negotiations both with the participation of large delegations and at a working breakfast within a narrow circle of officials. Putin last visited China in February 2022 to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.
The Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was held in Beijing on October 17-18. It was attended by over 4,000 delegates and guests from more than 140 countries. Putin was the guest of honor.
The Belt and Road Initiative is a concept first proposed in 2013 by Xi with the aim of boosting multilateral trade and investment projects with the participation of interested countries and Chinese as well as foreign capital. Over 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations have already joined it.