Xi, Putin vow to expand ‘practical cooperation' as China, Russia mark 75 years of bilateral ties

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Chinese and Russian presidents have vowed to bolster bilateral ties and expand “all-round practical cooperation” as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.

President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said he was “ready to work” with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to “firmly steer bilateral relations in the right direction, continue to expand all-round practical cooperation, jointly promote high-quality development and modernization of the two countries.”

This, he added, was “to make new contributions to safeguarding world peace and stability and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind,” state news agency Xinhua reported.​​​​​​​

Xi said China and Russia were “major countries of the world and key emerging markets, and are each other's largest neighbor.”

“In the face of profound changes unseen in a century,” the Chinese president said the two sides “have continued to deepen political mutual trust, achieved remarkable results in practical cooperation, and won deep support for generations of friendship, making important contributions to improving the well-being of the two peoples and to promoting an equal and orderly multi-polar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all.”

Amid heightening geopolitical tussles, China and Russia have closed ranks as the US-led allies have sanctioned Moscow over its war on Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

The annual trade between China and Russia hit a record high of $240 billion last year, as the two leaders hailed their "no-limits" partnership.

“Russia-China relations have reached their highest level in history,” Putin said in his message to Xi.

“The two sides have actively carried out cooperation in politics, economy and trade, science and technology, as well as in other fields, coordinated efficiently in international and regional affairs, and worked together to build a just multipolar world order,” said the Russian president.

"The close and mutually beneficial relations between Russia and China have stood the test of time,” he added.

Putin called “for further consolidating” the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination “so as to promote security and stability on the Eurasian continent and beyond.”