In observance of the Spring Festival, President Xi Jinping had a virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing at the Great Hall of the People on the afternoon of February 4 where he wished President Putin and the Russian people a very happy Spring Festival.
During the meeting, President Xi stated that he is willing to collaborate with President Putin to create a new framework for China-Russian relations. According to President Xi, in the past, they met twice and guided China-Russian relations into a new phase of growth. In a solemn celebration of the 80th anniversary of the World Anti-Fascist War victory, the two nations showed their unwavering commitment to upholding both world justice and fairness as well as the successful outcomes of WWII. The momentum of bilateral trade and economic interactions has remained strong.
President Xi highlighted that this year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan noting that China will expand high-standard opening up in a more proactive manner and share new development opportunities with all countries including Russia.
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination, the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, and the beginning of the China-Russia Years of Education. The two sides should seize these historic opportunities to carry out closer high-level exchanges, strengthen practical cooperation across the board, deepen strategic coordination, actively shoulder responsibilities as major countries, and ensure continued development of China-Russia relations along the right track.
President Xi noted that as a responsible major countries and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, China and Russia are duty-bound to pool global efforts to firmly uphold fairness and justice, firmly defend the victorious outcomes of WWII, firmly safeguard the U.N.-centered international system and the basic norms of international law, and jointly maintain global strategic stability.
President Putin on the other hand pointed out that the arrival of spring brings rebirth to Russia-China ties and will continue to expand with great energy and congratulated the Chinese people and President Xi a joyous Spring Festival, as well as health and prosperity in the Year of the Horse.
According to President Putin, throughout the past year, China and Russia have jointly celebrated the 80th anniversary of their victory in World War II, fiercely maintained historical truth, and ensured global peace by significant sacrifices made by both nations’ citizens. In fields such as trade, energy, research and technology, and agriculture, the two nations’ cooperation has grown and produced noticeable outcomes. Mutual visa exemption has made travel between the two peoples easier, people-to-people exchanges have become more intimate, and the China-Russia Years of Culture completed successfully.
For the benefit of both peoples, the two countries should continue to firmly support one another in their endeavors to protect their respective national sovereignty and security, attain economic and social development and prosperity, and encourage interpersonal interactions in areas like education and culture. Russia is prepared to boost strategic collaboration with China on multilateral platforms like the U.N., the SCO, and BRICS in order to bring constructive energy to international affairs in the face of a complex and dynamic global environment. Russia will actively assist China in holding the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen.
The successful conclusion of the China-Russia Years of Culture raised the bar for cultural cooperation and exchanges while strengthening people-to-people ties. China and Russia successfully hosted the SCO Tianjin Summit and the Council of Heads of Government of Member States’ 24th meeting, respectively. Both countries have increased multilateral coordination and stayed committed to building a more just and equitable global governance system.
