Xi calls for further promoting China-Russia mutual trust, cooperation, friendship

President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on China and Russia to further promote the mutual trust, cooperation and friendship of the two countries.

Xi made the statement when holding talks with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

"Once again, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Mr. President Putin and all friends from Russia. Unswervingly promoting the long-term, healthy, stable and high-quality development of China-Russia relations is a strategic choice that President Putin and I have jointly made, based on the fundamental interests of both countries and the overarching trends of global development. China and Russia should fully implement the consensus reached between President Putin and me, seize historical opportunities, further consolidate the foundation of mutual trust, enrich the substance of cooperation, and broaden the path of friendship," said Xi.

For his part, Putin said:"The Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has set a fine example for modern country-to-country relations. It is based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, mutual support as well as good-neighborliness and friendship. Our goal is to enhance the well-being and prosperity of the people of Russia and China. It is precisely these unbreakable foundations that enabled our relations to withstand multiple tests and show resilience and stability."

Xi calls for further promoting China-Russia mutual trust, cooperation, friendship

Xi calls for further promoting China-Russia mutual trust, cooperation, friendship

The Chinese mainland welcomes and supports more young people in Taiwan to take part in cross-Strait exchanges, said Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, on Wednesday, as a new poll shows rising support for national reunification among the island's youth.

The poll, conducted in Taiwan, found that among young people aged 20 to 29, the proportion leaning toward secession has declined in recent years, while support for reunification across the Strait has steadily increased.

Commenting on the findings at a regular press conference, Zhu stressed that the mainland will support more frequent interactions between young people from both sides.

"Since the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities took power, they have aggressively promoted separatist fallacies, deliberately pushed 'de-sinicization,' restricted cross-Strait exchanges, and created 'information cocoons' to mislead the Taiwan people, especially the younger generation," Zhu said.

"More and more compatriots in Taiwan, particularly young friends, are actively participating in cross-Strait exchanges, learning from each other, and building mutual understanding. They are increasingly recognizing that unification is the irresistible trend and the path to a brighter future. We welcome and support more youth from both sides of the Strait to interact regularly, strengthen their pride and confidence as Chinese, and jointly strive for national unification and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," she said.

Mainland welcomes Taiwan youth to participate in cross-Strait exchanges: spokesperson