China says Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow was a 'complete success'

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow was a complete success, proving that China-Russia relations are as solid as a rock.

The Chinese leader made an official state visit to Moscow this week, attending the 80th anniversary of Victory Day celebrations in the Russian capital. Xi held extensive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which the two sides signed a series of far-reaching documents on strengthening bilateral cooperation, as well as a joint statement on global strategic stability.

"The visit looked back at history, looked forward to the future, inherited friendship, and safeguarded justice, and was a complete success," Wang Yi said at a press conference on May 10.

China's top diplomat said the visit underscored that "China-Russia relations are as solid as a rock, that the outcome of victory in World War II cannot be challenged, and the world needs justice instead of hegemony."

Mr. Wang Yi added that Mr. Xi and Mr. Putin held talks that lasted nearly 10 hours, and "signed more than 20 cooperation documents, adding new strong momentum to the development of China-Russia relations."

The two powers are in “the best period in history,” Mr. Wang said. “Trying to drive a wedge between China and Russia can only be a pipe dream.”

The two superpowers agreed to strengthen economic, trade and energy cooperation, as well as promote cooperation in high-tech fields, including nuclear energy, aerospace industry and artificial intelligence (AI).

During the talks, Moscow and Beijing stressed that they complement each other's economic strengths and have plenty of room for development, Wang said.

According to Chinese customs data, bilateral trade between Russia and China reached $245 billion last year.

Mr. Putin noted during the talks that almost all trade between Russia and China is now conducted in rubles and yuan, and is protected from the influence of other countries.

Amid global and historical changes, “it is important to remain forever reliable friends in the spirit of seasoned friendship,” the Russian leader said in a press statement alongside Xi earlier this week.