China's top legislator visits Russia to strengthen bilateral relations, cooperation

At the invitation of Viacheslav Volodin, chairman of the Russian parliament's lower house, the State Duma, and Chairwoman of the Russian Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko, China's top legislator Zhao Leji made an official goodwill visit to Russia from July 9 to 13.

During the visit, Zhao, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg and held separate talks with Matviyenko and Volodin in Moscow. He also participated in the 9th meeting of the China-Russia Committee for Parliamentary Cooperation in Moscow on Wednesday.

Zhao conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and good wishes to President Putin.

Noting the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, Zhao highlighted that, under the strategic guidance of their two leaders, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership has reached a high level of development and quality, delivering tangible benefits to both nations.

Recalling the recent meeting between Xi and Putin in Astana, where they reached several strategic agreements, Zhao said that the NPC of China is willing to collaborate with the Russian Federal Assembly to implement these key agreements at the legislative level. This cooperation aims to strengthen political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation and enhance the friendship between the two peoples.

Putin asked Zhao to convey his cordial greetings to Xi. He mentioned that he and Xi recently had a successful meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, where they exchanged in-depth views on issues of bilateral cooperation issues and reached important consensus. He highlighted the strong cooperation between Russian and Chinese legislative bodies, which supports key bilateral priorities and fosters a favorable environment for economic, cultural and legal progress.

Strengthening the work of the Russia-China Committee for Parliamentary Cooperation promotes the exchange of experience, mutual learning and understanding. It also enhances cooperation at the legislative and sub-national levels, as well as in other fields, further strengthening the friendship between the two peoples, he said.

In discussions with Matviyenko and Volodin, Zhao emphasized that the strategic guidance from the two heads of state is the greatest political advantage of China-Russia relations. He said that both sides should adhere to the consensus reached by their leaders, maintain strategic focus, bolster confidence in their chosen path, and firmly support each other on core issues.

Zhao noted that China's NPC has maintained close cooperation with Russia's Federation Council and State Duma, continually enriching bilateral strategic coordination. He urged the legislative bodies to utilize mechanisms and platforms such as the China-Russia Committee for Parliamentary Cooperation to deepen exchanges, enhance multi-level cooperation, and learn from each other's legislative experiences, thereby providing a legal framework for practical cooperation.

Additionally, Zhao emphasized the need for stronger coordination and cooperation on multilateral platforms like the BRICS cooperation mechanism, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the SCO to jointly uphold international equity and justice.

Matviyenko remarked that, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership has been operating at a high level. She emphasized the broad support for developing relations with China within Russian society, and called for stronger legislative cooperation, increased sub-national exchanges, the involvement of young lawmakers, as well as enhanced bilateral cooperation in the economy, trade and people-to-people exchanges.

Volodin said that different parties in the Russian State Duma consistently support developing relations with China. He reaffirmed Russia's commitment to the one-China principle and its opposition to any external interference in China's internal affairs. Volodin also called for innovation and improvements in the cooperation model between the legislative bodies to continuously enhance the level of cooperation.

At the 9th meeting of the China-Russia Committee for Parliamentary Cooperation, Zhao highlighted the committee as a crucial platform for legislative exchanges and cooperation, reflecting the unique and high-level nature of China-Russia relations. He urged the legislatures of both countries to strengthen strategic coordination, share governance experiences, and use legislative functions to promote practical cooperation through the rule of law.

Zhao also stressed the importance of fostering traditional friendships to solidify public and social support for state-to-state relations and enhancing multilateral coordination to unite and strengthen the Global South at the legislative level.

During his visit, Zhao laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow.

(With input from Xinhua)