Official website of the President of Russia

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, friends,

President Xi Jinping and I have just held open and intensive talks in restricted format and discussed the most important and pressing issues of Russia-China strategic cooperation. We noted that our cooperation has reached a very high level. It would be no exaggeration to say that this level is unprecedentedly high.

We discussed in detail major international issues and confirmed that the positions of Russia and China on key global issues are close or identical, as the diplomats put it.

Now, following the tradition, we will continue the talks in expanded format and listen to reports by co-chairmen of the Intergovernmental Commission and our foreign ministers on the status of and prospects for cooperation in many diverse areas.

But first I would like to thank my good long-time friend President Xi Jinping for bringing in such a representative delegation of our Chinese partners. There are partners from both sides practically in all areas of our cooperation. I am sure that this will give your visit, Mr President, concrete substance that is absolutely clear to each of us and vital for the implementation of all our plans.

Please.

President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping (retranslated): Thank you, Mr President once again for kindly inviting me to pay a state visit to Russia.

At present, China-Russia relations are making steady headway at high level, going through the best period in their development. Both sides strongly support each other and defend each other’s vital interests. Political and strategic mutual trust is growing. We actively promote cooperation in trade, the economy, culture, people-to-people contacts, and at the regional level. The potential of our relations is increasing and our common interests are closely intertwined. We take an active part in international affairs and government management, thereby playing an important and constructive role in the maintenance of global peace and stability and the protection of international truth and justice.

This year we celebrate the 70^th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. At this historic moment we are united with you in realising the need for developing relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation, which are entering a new era. We have achieved this result largely due to the historical experience accumulated in the past 70 years and in conformity with the historical trends and requirements for the development of our relations at a higher level. I think we should use this favourable, historical moment to review our history in a comprehensive manner, expanding and deepening our cooperation so it can attain new life and make a new breakthrough.

I am also very happy to see our ministers from both sides at this meeting. This is a very good opportunity to exchange views and compare notes once again so as to further promote our cooperation.

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much, Mr President.

We will go to the specific reports, with your permission.

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