Little, at a tea with Xi Jinping

Russian President Vladimir Putin continues a series of four-day meetings with foreign leaders before the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. Today, he will have discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who arrived in Russia on an official visit.

These negotiations will be the third contact between leaders from the beginning of the year. In January, Putin and Xi Jinping had a video conference meeting and spoke by telephone at the end of February.

As announced in the Kremlin, today’s common program of heads will be quite intense and will start in the morning. The first on the list of events are the negotiations in restricted and extended formats. The agenda includes international issues (including cooperation within BRICS, the cooperation organization in Shanghai and the group of twenty) and the increase of bilateral trade. The discussion will also focus on cooperation in the energy sector, including on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which is to extend from the Yamal and Western Siberia to China.

Putin and Xi Jinping will then sign two common statements and will address the press. One of the statements will be dedicated to global strategic stability, and the other to deepen comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction, which have entered a new era to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union victory in the Great Patriotic War, Victoria in the War of the Chinese resistance and the ENI-resistance.

In addition, the Russian-Chinese negotiation plan includes the signing of several intergovernmental and inter-dedulmental documents. After the appearances of the leaders in front of the press, the delegations will organize an official lunch to discuss « critical strategic issues ».

The final point of the bilateral program will be an informal face-to-face conversation between Putin and Xi Jinping at a tea-this format has become an integral part of the Russian-Chinese summit in recent years. The Russian presidential counselor, Iuri Usakov, expressed confidence that leaders will discuss « the most important issues », including the Ukrainian conflict and the Russian-American relationships. Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow will not end here-the Chinese president will participate in the ceremonial events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victoria as the main guest.

Guarantees of international stability

The Russian-Chinese relationships are at an unprecedented level, the Kremlin points out. Usakov mentioned that these relationships are considered copies in both Moscow and Beijing – the cooperation between the two countries is based on full, equal and mutually advantageous confidence, is not directed against any third state and is based on respect for the sovereignty and interests of the other.

Russia and China maintain constant coordination through several dozen committees, subcommittees and working groups. In addition, countries maintain close contacts between the legislative bodies and develop the interpartide dialogue. At the end of summer-the beginning of autumn, Putin will personally travel to China to participate, together with Xi Jinping, at the events dedicated to the anniversary of Victoria in World War II.

Russia and China are closely coordinating their positions within the UN, G20, BRICS, SCO and APEC. According to the Kremlin, cooperation between the two countries plays a « defining stabilizing role in all international affairs ». Moscow and Beijing have similar or coincidental positions on the key global problems and advocates for the formation of a more fair world order, as well as to ensure equal and indivisible security.

Economic and humanitarian achievements

China ranks first among Russia’s external trading partners, and Russia ranks fifth among China’s trading partners. Last year, the turnover of mutual trade increased by 7.5% and reached a record of $ 244.9 billion.

Mutual acquisitions of agricultural products occupy an important place in foreign trade. In addition, festivals and goods « made in Russia » are popular in China. There has been an increase in freight traffic between countries, including routes and railways.

The key domain of economic cooperation between countries is energy. Russia is one of the main suppliers of energy resources for China. The country occupies the first place in gas and oil exports, the second for coal supply and third at GNL. The countries also successfully implement a common project for the production of hydrocarbons and are engaged in the construction of energy installations – new units of the Tianwan nuclear power plant and the Xudapu nuclear power plant, as well as the Gas route from the Far East.

The two countries develop industrial cooperation (including in the car sector), naval construction and aircraft production. Also, cooperation has been established in the field of high technology and space, including in matters related to the creation of an international monthly scientific station.

Russia and China actively strengthen their humanitarian links. They intensify their educational, cultural, sports and tourist exchanges. Last year alone, the mutual tourism flow increased 2.3 times and reached 2.8 million people. There is an active dialogue on the creation of common films, and within the intercultural years between Russia and China, over 400 events are planned. Cooperation in the fields of medical assistance and media is also extending.

Evening reception

In addition to the Russian-Chinese extended program, in the evening, at the Great Palace of the Kremlin, Putin will host a reception for the heads of all foreign delegations who arrived in Moscow to celebrate Victoria Day. It will consist of a concert and an official dinner and is scheduled to start at 19:00. Xi Jinping will also attend the event.

In the next two days, Putin will meet with other foreign guests. A total of 27 foreign leaders are expected in Moscow on May 9.