Chinese President Xi Jinping called on China and Russia to boost high-level exchanges and pragmatic cooperation during a virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, while urging joint efforts to maintain global strategic stability. Xi extended New Year greetings to Putin and the Russian people, expressing readiness to chart a new blueprint for bilateral ties with him. Putin reciprocated with Spring Festival wishes to Xi and the Chinese people.
On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss bilateral relations and the international landscape. Xi noted that this year marks the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, with the country taking a more proactive approach to high-level opening up and sharing development opportunities with the world, including Russia. It also commemorates the 30th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination, the 25th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, and the launch of the China-Russia Years of Education.
Xi stressed that the two nations should deepen strategic coordination to ensure their relations develop on the right track. With the international situation becoming increasingly turbulent since the start of the year, China and Russia should work together to maintain global strategic stability. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and responsible major powers, they have the obligation to encourage the international community to uphold fairness and justice, firmly safeguard the outcomes of World War II victory, and resolutely defend the UN-centered international system and the basic norms of international law.
Putin expressed full confidence in China-Russia relations, saying both sides should continue to steadfastly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty and security, and in achieving economic and social development and prosperity. They should also promote education and cultural exchanges to benefit the two peoples. Amid a complex and changing international situation, Russia is willing to strengthen strategic coordination with China on platforms such as the UN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and BRICS, injecting positive energy into international affairs. Russia will actively support China's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.
The two heads of state also exchanged in-depth views on international and regional hotspot issues of mutual concern. Their two meetings last year steered China-Russia relations into a new phase of development, including commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, sustaining robust bilateral economic and trade exchanges, elevating people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, and committing to a more just and equitable global governance system.
