Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday that against the backdrop of a continuously evolving and complex international situation, China and Russia have maintained close coordination, serving as a valuable force for stability in a world marked by turbulence and transformation.
Li made the remarks when meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.
At the meeting, Li first conveyed cordial greetings and best wishes from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Putin, noting that since the beginning of this year, the two heads of state have met twice and made further plans for deepening China-Russia relations and cooperation.
China is willing to work with Russia to strengthen strategic communication, consolidate political mutual trust, expand all-round mutually beneficial cooperation, and continuously enhance the well-being of the two peoples, he said.
Li noted that China is ready to work with Russia to better leverage their economic complementarity, maintain the sound momentum of bilateral cooperation, strengthen practical cooperation in energy and resources, trade and investment, transportation and other areas, deliver more positive outcomes and promote common prosperity in both countries.
The two sides should ensure the success of the China-Russia Years of Education, continuously deepen exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism, sports and youth, and further enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, Li said.
Noting that unilateralism and hegemonism are rampant in today's world, Li said China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Russia on major issues, enhance coordination within multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, unite more forces of the Global South to safeguard common interests and uphold fairness and justice.
For his part, Putin asked Li to convey his sincere greetings to Xi and wished the upcoming fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China a success.
Putin said that he and Xi had met several times this year and reached new important consensus on advancing the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.
Since the establishment of the Russia-China prime ministers' regular meeting mechanism 30 years ago, it has earnestly implemented the achievements of head-of-state diplomacy and promoted the deepening and substantive cooperation between the two sides, Putin said.
Russia-China relations are built on the basis of equality and mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win results, and accommodation of each other's concerns, he said, noting that bilateral relations are not affected by changes in the international landscape and not subject to interference from any third party.
China has been and will always be Russia's closest and most reliable partner, Putin noted.
Russia is ready to deepen practical cooperation with China in such areas as energy, agriculture, space, civilian nuclear energy, information technology, artificial intelligence and transportation, jointly ensure the success of the Russia-China Years of Education, and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, he said.
Putin added that Russia supports China in hosting the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting this year and in assuming the BRICS chairmanship next year.
Li returned to Beijing on Thursday after co-chairing the 31st regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government in St. Petersburg.
Li's entourage, including State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Wu Zhenglong, returned on the same flight.
When leaving St. Petersburg, Li was seen off at the airport by senior Russian officials and Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
Chinese premier says China, Russia serve as valuable force for stability in turbulent world
