President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the latter's request. Putin talked about Russia's view on the current situation of the Ukraine crisis and the recent contacts and communications between Russia and the United States, saying that Russia highly appreciates the constructive role China has played for the political settlement of the crisis.
The comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between Russia and China will not change under any circumstances, and Russia is willing to continue to maintain close communication with China, Putin said. Xi expounded China's principled position and pointed out that there is no simple solution to complex issues. No matter how the situation changes, China will adhere to its consistent position and continue to promote peace talks.
China is glad to see Russia and the United States remain in contact, improve their relations and promote the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, Xi said.
The two heads of state positively appraised the high-level political mutual trust and strategic coordination between the two countries, and agreed to jointly promote greater development of China-Russia relations.
Both sides will work closely together to do a good job in preparing the Tianjin Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), making it a summit of friendship, unity and success with fruitful results and promoting the high-quality development of the SCO, they said.
Xi holds phone conversation with Putin
Xi holds phone conversation with Putin
Duty-free sales in China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) reached 161 million yuan (about 22.8 million U.S. dollars) on Thursday, the first day of island-wide special customs operations, according to official statistics released Friday by Haikou Customs.
Nearly 24,800 shoppers purchased about 118,000 items on the day, up 53 percent and 25 percent year on year, respectively, the data showed.
At the Haikou International Duty-Free Shopping Complex, significant discounts drew large numbers of customers.
"We were curious about the changes after the island-wide special customs operations were implemented, so we came to have a look," said a customer.
"Foot traffic is up at least three to four times compared with usual levels, and new products are selling very well," said Xu Xueli, a salesperson at the Haikou CDF Mall.
The Haikou Global Premium Duty Free Plaza was also bustling with customers engaging in interactive games and promotional activities.
"The performances are fantastic, and the discounts are very generous. I came after the island-wide special customs operations began to buy some duty-free items. I've had my eyes on, and I'm really happy," said another customer.
"By integrating cultural experiences and duty-free shopping, we aim to better incorporate Dongpo culture into the consumer experience," said Chen Haidan, sales manager in the operations management department of the Haikou Global Duty-Free Plaza.
Su Dongpo was a prominent poet and cultural figure of China's Song Dynasty (960–1279), celebrated for his literary legacy and culinary skills.
The island-wide special customs operations took effect Thursday in the Hainan Free Trade Port, the world's largest free trade port by area, allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanded zero-tariff coverage and more business-friendly measures.
Hainan records 161 mln yuan in duty-free sales on first day of special customs operations
