Now, onto China and Russia ties. A spokesman for the Chinese "Commerce" Ministry said Thursday that economic cooperation between the two countries continues to develop with good momentum. The spokesman also said that Sino-Russia trade is progressing and shows strong potential.

GAO FENG, SPOKESMAN CHINESE COMMERCE MINISTRY "Sino-Russia trade is rebounding at a fast pace since last year. Total volume of trade between the two countries exceeded 84 billion US dollars in 2017, with an increase of over 20 percent compared with 2016. The two countries have enhanced cooperation in many new fields such as the digital economy and e-commerce. Good cooperation is conducive to sound development for the manufacturing of planes and helicopters, as well as constructions of a China-Russia crude oil pipeline and gas pipeline."