Xi, Putin pledge to safeguard world peace, defend international justice

World Today

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with his China’s counterpart Xi Jinping during a signing ceremony following the Russian-Chinese talks on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on September 11, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / SERGEI CHIRIKOV

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks here Tuesday and agreed to firmly promote bilateral ties, and safeguard world peace and stability.

CGTN’s Aljosa Milencovic reports.

“Since the beginning of this year, China-Russia relations have shown a more positive development momentum and entered a new era of faster and higher-level development,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said.

President Xi made the remarks during a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok Tuesday, on the sidelines of the 4th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).

“The close high-level contacts between China and Russia embody the particularity of China-Russia relations and highlight the priority of bilateral relations in their respective diplomatic agendas,” President Xi said.

Xi also stressed that China and Russia have established a model of bilateral relations between major countries and neighboring countries.

The two sides should promote the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination to a higher level and better benefit the two peoples, Xi noted.

Xi also said the two countries should enhance the alignment of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union.

He vowed to expand cooperation with Russia in energy, agriculture, scientific and technological innovation, and finance, taking the opportunity of the Year of China-Russia Local Cooperation and Exchange in 2018 and 2019.

Xi hailed that the forum will bring new opportunities for the two sides to deepen local cooperation including cooperation in Russia’s Far East .

He stressed that as permanent members of the UN security council, both China and Russia should enhance communication in international and regional issues, and fight against unilateralism and protectionism.

Putin welcomed President Xi’s attendance to the forum, saying the close contact between them demonstrates the high-level ties between the two countries.

He vowed more cooperation with China regarding investment, e-commerce and people-to-people exchanges.

President Putin also stressed that the two sides will resolutely resist unilateralism, maintain a fair and rational international order, and achieve common development and prosperity.

The two leaders then witnessed the signing of multiple agreements and held a joint press conference.

Xi arrived in Russia’s port city of Vladivostok on Tuesday to attend the 4th EEF at the invitation of Russian President Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on September 11, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Dmitri Lovetsky

It was the third meeting between Xi and Putin this year. In June Putin paid a state visit to Beijing and then attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in east China’s coastal city Qingdao. In July, Putin also took part in the BRICS Summit together with President Xi in South Africa’s Johannesburg.

China is Russia’s largest trading partner in eight continuous years. In 2017, the bilateral trade volume reached over 84 billion US dollars, representing a 20.8 percent increase year-on-year.

The bilateral trade volume is expected to expand to as high as 100 billion US dollars in 2019, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce.


Yuval Weber discusses Xi and Putin’s meeting at the Eastern Economic Forum

CGTN’s Mike Walter spoke to Yuval Weber for insight into the significance of the Eastern Economic Forum. He’s an associate professor at the Daniel Morgan Graduate School.


Brian Becker discusses China-Russia ties

CGTN’s Elaine Reyes spoke to Brian Becker for more insight into the strategic cooperation taking place between Russia and China. Becker is the National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition. He’s also a Policy Analyst on DPRK Relations.