MOSCOW, December 7. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed as very effective the relationship between Russia and China as he said that bilateral trade would exceed $200 bln in 2023.

Addressing the Russia Calling! Investment Forum currently underway in Moscow, Putin said: "Thank God, our relations with China have been extremely effective. We set the task of reaching a $200 bln trade next [year] or in the coming years. I think nobody has doubts that we will hit $200 bln as early as this year."

The Russian leader welcomed the ambitions to work in Russia voiced by a Chinese entrepreneur who said that his business would like to develop cooperation in mining with Russia.

Commenting on the Chinese businessman’s remark that Russia isn’t liberalized enough, Putin said that the Russian authorities would be ready to weigh his specific proposals.

"We will be glad if your company can contribute to pushing this joint progress [of Russia and China] further," the Russian leader underscored.