MOSCOW, May 19. /TASS/. Relations between Moscow and Beijing have reached an unprecedented level, reflected, among other things, in the readiness of the two countries to support each other on key issues, including the protection of sovereignty, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a video address ahead of his visit to China.
TASS has compiled the key statements made by the Russian leader.
Importance of the visit
"I am delighted to be visiting Beijing once again at the invitation of my long-time good friend, the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping."
"Regular mutual visits and Russia-China top-level talks are an important and integral part of our joint efforts to promote the entire range of relations between our two countries and unlock their truly limitless potential."
Putin emphasized the importance of issues related to deepening ties and the comprehensive development of Russia and China, which will form the agenda of the upcoming talks in Beijing: "It is important that these are the issues that will shape the agenda of the upcoming talks in Beijing."
Unprecedented level of relations
Relations between Russia and China have reached an unprecedented level: "I would like to remind you that 25 years ago, Russia and China signed the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, which laid a solid foundation for a genuinely strategic relationship and comprehensive partnership for the benefit of our countries and our peoples. Today, Russia-China relations have reached a truly unprecedented level."
"Their special nature is reflected in the atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust, a commitment to pursuing win-win and equitable cooperation, conducting respectful dialogue, and supporting each other on matters affecting the core interests of both countries, including protection of sovereignty and state unity."
"I deeply appreciate President Xi Jinping’s commitment to long-term cooperation with Russia."
Developing dialogue
Russia highly values China’s history and culture and is interested in further developing dialogue between the peoples of the two countries. "I would like to point out that Russia holds China’s centuries-old history and its achievements in culture, art, and science in high esteem. We are interested in bringing our peoples closer together, further promoting mutual understanding, and embracing all the positive things offered by the two countries’ rich traditions and heritage," Putin said.
"Looking confidently to the future, Russia and China are actively expanding their contacts in politics, the economy, and defense, while broadening humanitarian exchanges and encouraging person-to-person interaction," the Russian leader stressed.
According to Putin, Moscow and Beijing are jointly doing everything that serves to deepen bilateral cooperation and comprehensively develop both states. "It means that together we are doing everything that can further deepen bilateral collaboration and advance the comprehensive development of our countries," he said.
Putin also noted that the warm and friendly contacts between Moscow and Beijing help the two countries set the boldest goals and turn them into reality. "I am convinced that our warm and friendly ties enable us to chart the boldest plans for the future and bring them to life," he said.
The Russian president added that Moscow and Beijing are implementing major initiatives "in key areas of our cooperation."
Visa-free regime
The visa-free regime between Russia and China promotes tourism and business travel and creates new opportunities for building ties between the two nations. "We welcome the introduction of a mutual visa-free regime between our countries, facilitating greater business and tourism exchanges and harnessing new opportunities for communication and personal contacts between Russian and Chinese nationals."
Economic cooperation
Trade turnover between Russia and China continues to grow and has already exceeded $200 bln. "Trade between Russia and China continues to grow, having long surpassed the US$200 billion mark," Putin said.
Russia and China have almost completely switched to national currencies in mutual settlements. "Mutual settlements are now conducted almost entirely in rubles and yuan," the Russian leader noted.