Sino-Russian partnership lauded

China is willing to work with Russia to deepen the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union, and intensify bilateral cooperation in various fields to promote common development, Premier Li Qiang said on Thursday.

Li made the remark during a meeting in Beijing with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The premier said that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, China and Russia have consistently adhered to the principles of nonalliance, nonconfrontation and not targeting any third party in developing bilateral relations.

Practical cooperation in various fields has steadily progressed, cultural and people-to-people interactions and subnational exchanges have flourished, and the public foundation of friendship between the two nations has been solidified, he said.

The two countries have set an example of peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between major countries, he added.

Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Li said that China is willing to work with Russia to consolidate and carry forward the long-standing friendship, and deepen cooperation in various fields to benefit the people of both countries, contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

China is ready to work with Russia to promote regional integration and economic convergence, continuously enhance the level of trade liberalization and facilitation, and deepen cooperation in fields such as trade, energy and connectivity.

Li called on both countries to take the opportunity of hosting the 2024-25 China-Russia Years of Culture to further advance partnership in the fields of culture, tourism, sports, healthcare and youth development to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

China-Russia economic and trade cooperation made a historic breakthrough last year amid the slow global recovery. Bilateral trade reached a record $240.1 billion in 2023, achieving the trade target of $200 billion ahead of schedule.

In the first quarter of this year, bilateral trade between China and Russia reached $56.8 billion, up 5.2 percent year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Noting that the Russia-China relationship has reached its highest level, Putin said the relationship is based on mutual equality, mutual benefit and win-win results, serving the interests of both countries and their peoples.

Russia is willing to work with China to further strengthen cooperation in areas such as the economy, energy, agriculture and infrastructure construction, deepen exchanges in education, culture, health, sports and youth development, and bring the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between Russia and China for the new era to a new stage, he said.