Russian PM applauds deeper ties with China during official state visit

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin made an official visit to China from May 23-24, during which he attended the Russian-Chinese Business Forum in Shanghai and met with President Xi Jinping and Li Qiang, premier of the State Council of China, in Beijing.

Speaking at the forum on Tuesday, Mishustin stated, “Our relations with China are growing stronger. They are old and fraternal and are built on historical roots, mutual respect, and friendship. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our Chinese friends for the traditional Chinese hospitality, including, first of all, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, as well as Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and He Lifeng, Vice Premier of the State Council, who organised this forum.”

“Our relations are developing progressively and systematically. Look at our mutual trade. It has grown to $190 billion. I am confident that this year we will reach $200 billion, the figure that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have set out,” Mishustin continued. “And, of course, we will attain other, even larger, figures and volumes in the near future.”

In his meeting with President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, the Russian PM shared that his talks with Li Qiang were “meaningful.” He noted that they had a detailed conversation on how “expanding cultural and humanitarian ties is just as important as strengthening our trade and economic cooperation” and “agreed to make the mechanism for holding regular meetings between the Russian and Chinese heads of government more proactive and responsive.”

For his part, President Xi Jinping noted that Mishustin’s visit “has been quite a success.” He said the two countries should “continue building on the advantages China and Russia can unlock through their cooperation with its vast scope, immense potential and powerful drivers.”

“I hold a positive view of this development path,” Xi added. “This will enable us to keep adding new substance to our strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation.”