President Putin sets new milestone in Russia-China relations
(Baonghean.vn) - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing on October 17-18. Analysts hailed this as another milestone in the development of China-Russia bilateral relations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on a two-day visit to attend the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) and will deliver a speech after Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Russian leader will also hold a number of bilateral meetings.
Analysts expect China and Russia to engage in in-depth exchanges with the aim of further tapping the potential for promoting economic, trade and investment cooperation, improving bilateral cooperation institutions and mechanisms, consolidating and expanding energy cooperation and BRF connectivity.
Ahead of President Putin's visit to Beijing, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in China on the morning of October 16.
During his meeting with Lavrov, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China will use the forum as an opportunity to form a broader international consensus and promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China appreciates President Putin's interest and support in building the BRI, and welcomes Russia's active participation in promoting common development and prosperity.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that bilateral relations between Russia and China are maintaining a positive momentum. Moscow wants to maintain close strategic communication with Beijing and strengthen practical cooperation in various areas.
BRI has become an important platform for promoting international cooperation, and all parties are actively participating. The construction of BRI also promotes mutually beneficial cooperation in Eurasia.
Cui Heng, a scholar at the China Institute of International Exchanges, said that Russian President Putin's attendance at the BRF is of great significance to the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in the new era. This shows Russia's growing support for the BRI. Previously, in 2017 and 2019, President Putin also attended the BRF.
Russia has increasingly recognized the important role of the BRI over the past decade in promoting substantive cooperation between the two countries and boosting the entire Eurasian economy.
According to statistics released by the General Administration of Customs of China on October 13, from January to September 2023, the trade volume between China and Russia was over 176 billion USD, up 29.5% year-on-year. Of which, China's exports to Russia reached over 81 billion USD, up 56.9%; China's imports from Russia exceeded 94 billion USD, up 12.7%.
Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Relations at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times that the strategic coordination between China and Russia has gone beyond the bilateral concept. And the relationship is becoming increasingly important in safeguarding international order, fairness, and stability. China and Russia also share special tasks in regional and multilateral frameworks including BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The Russian head of state is scheduled to hold talks with President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Vo Van Thuong on October 17. Several meetings are expected to follow, including with Thai Prime Minister Settha Thaweesin.
On October 18, President Putin had an official meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and heads of delegations participating in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.