On the afternoon of 8 February, on the upcoming Chinese New Year, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ifeng reports.
The heads of state exchanged New Year greetings. President Putin said that the dragon symbolises wisdom and strength in Chinese culture. He also expressed his best wishes to the Chinese people. In a telephone conversation, he said:
“I wish the Chinese people a happy Year of the Dragon! All the best!”
Xi Jinping noted that it has become a good tradition for heads of state to greet each other at the end and beginning of the year, summarise the achievements of bilateral relations and look to the future together. He emphasised in his conversation with the Russian President:
“We have met twice in the past year and reached many important consensuses. Under our joint leadership, the governments, legislatures and political parties of the two countries have conducted active exchanges, and co-operation in various fields has demonstrated sustainability and vitality. The two sides have met the annual trade volume target in advance, cultural and local exchanges between the two countries are flourishing, and the Year of Sports Exchange has been successfully completed. China is willing to continue to uphold the spirit of mutual assistance and generational friendship with Russia and work together to write a new chapter in China-Russia relations.”
Xi Jinping stressed that the two sides should work closely together in strategic co-operation to safeguard their respective national sovereignty, security and development interests, and resolutely oppose interference in internal affairs by external forces.
Xi also said the two sides should develop a new momentum of co-operation between the two countries, maintain the stability of the production and supply chain, jointly organise the China-Russia Cultural Year, and organise cultural exchanges. He added:
“Both sides should support Kazakhstan in organising this year’s Shanghai Co-operation Organisation summit, strengthen unity and mutual trust, and ensure regional security and stability and the common interests of the countries in the region.”
Putin, in turn, in a conversation with his Chinese counterpart, said:
“Co-operation between Russia and China in various fields last year brought fruitful results. I look forward to continuing close contacts with President Xi Jinping and the two countries’ aspiration to make new progress in co-operation in various fields. Two sides will jointly organise this year’s Russia-China Culture Year and a series of cultural exchange activities to further strengthen the foundation of friendship between the two peoples. We thank you for China’s support for Russia’s assumption of the rotating chairmanship of the BRICS countries this year.”
The leaders also exchanged detailed views on topical international and regional issues. The Chinese and Russian leaders unanimously agreed to continue to maintain close contacts in the new year and have in-depth exchanges of views on China-Russia relations and strategic issues of mutual interest.
