BOAO /China/, March 25. /TASS/. Russia should deepen cooperation with Asian countries instead of placing high expectations on interaction with the US, Chi Fulin, head of the Hainan-based China Institute for Reform and Development, told a TASS correspondent.
"Russia needs to take a realistic and pragmatic position, abandon any illusions [about contacts with the US], and advance cooperation with China. Interaction with Asia is the most crucial prospect for Russia," he said at the Boao Forum for Asia (BAF), which is taking place on Hainan Island.
The expert noted that the Chinese and international community pay significant attention to Russian-American relations, which "are quite complex."
In his opinion, Moscow considers resolving some issues with Washington's participation, but the likelihood of building long-term strategic cooperation between Russia and the United States is "extremely low."
Chi Fulin believes that Russia "has almost no chance of reintegrating with Europe." "In this context, given global changes, cooperation with Asia remains paramount for Russia. On key issues, Russia should align with Asian countries and expand free trade with China," he added.
"We can enhance trade and economic cooperation," Chi Fulin stressed. He pointed to the promising nature of joint projects in Siberia and the Far East.
The Boao Forum for Asia on the east coast of the southern province of Hainan has been held regularly since 2002 and has 29 participating Asian nations. This platform for strengthening multilateral cooperation is called the "Eastern Davos." The Chinese authorities closely monitor the development of the BAF and consider it an effective tool of soft diplomacy. The large-scale conference, which runs from March 25 to 28, is attended by over 2,000 government officials, politicians, experts, and business representatives from more than 60 countries and regions.