The President of China Media Group Shen Haixiong sat down with President Putin for an exclusive interview. The Russian leader shared his impressions of Chinese President Xi Jinping, his expectations of future relations between the two countries, and how he views the expanded SCO community. 

SHEN HAIXIONG, PRESIDENT CHINA MEDIA GROUP "For your fourth presidential inauguration, did you feel any difference compared with your previous inaugurations?"

VLADIMIR PUTIN RUSSIAN PRESIDENT "As to my new term as the president of the Russian Federation, I think you've read about my remarks. Our top priorities will be the country's sustainable development, continued economic growth, an innovation-driven economy, upgrading infrastructure, healthcare, education, and of course guaranteeing national security. This is something we're working for, as a team. While adhering to international law and respecting our partners' interests, we will meanwhile safeguard our own interests and pay close attention to our standing on the world stage.

In this regard, I would like to point out that we've always stressed cooperation with our traditionally reliable partners, allies and friends, which, without doubt, includes the People's Republic of China."

SHEN HAIXIONG, PRESIDENT CHINA MEDIA GROUP "I've noticed that since the State of the Nation address this year, you have talked about your 'Dream of Russia' on several occasions. Right now the Chinese people are working hard to realize the Chinese Dream envisioned by President Xi Jinping. What does your 'Dream of Russia' share with the 'Chinese Dream'?"

VLADIMIR PUTIN RUSSIAN PRESIDENT "Russia and China are neighbors. Through centuries of mutual dialogues and interactions, we've formed a profound historical bond and strong foundation. Indeed the relationship is based on our mutual interests.

As you know, in 2001 we've signed the treaty of friendship, which has supplied the essential foundation for the towering edifice of our current bilateral ties. Each year this great building has been renewing itself and has seen new floors added and has its structure continuously strengthened. This has not been a matter of luck.

Now, let me quote President Xi Jinping's speech at the 19th CPC National Congress. What's the most important part? How did the Chinese president put it? It is to improve our people's lives. There are many ways and manners to achieve this, but the goal is the same. In Russia, except to improve the living standards of our citizens, there's no other goal. For this purpose, we've been studying how to build Russia's relations with China, how to accomplish our objectives and guarantee external security, how to encourage innovation, the digital economy and genetic technologies, how to build a modern harmonious society and nation, and how to improve our economic governance and foster the new economy. Therefore we have a great deal in common. I'm confident that our efforts will bring fresh achievements."

SHEN HAIXIONG, PRESIDENT CHINA MEDIA GROUP "In just a few days, you will head for Qingdao to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, and also pay a state visit to China. Now, as the SCO embraces more member states, it will need more power and efficiency in execution. So how can we achieve that?"

VLADIMIR PUTIN RUSSIAN PRESIDENT "The Shanghai Cooperation Organization used to be a low-profile organization when it was first established. It was primarily aimed at solving border issues between China, Russia and the former Soviet Union members.

As I mentioned, our objective was quite small. But as we worked together on these small issues, we found similarities between us. We realized that together we could achieve something bigger, grander, other than solving border issues.

The SCO has developed. Obviously it has become a more global organization after India and Pakistan officially joined the group. In fact, the SCO member states account for one fourth of the world's GDP, 43 percent of the international population and 23 percent of global territory. These are very substantial and huge resources. Plus, we have seen Asia's economic growth accelerated, especially with China and India making big strides forward. Russia will also provide momentum for new growth to keep up the pace. In addition, there's our military potential. Of course, we are not raising rivalries against anyone. This is simply a necessary condition to ensure multilateral cooperation between the member states and other countries, no matter which continent these countries are on.

Uniting these strong powers will undoubtedly become an important factor for our development, and one that could influence the world, in a positive way, I believe."

SHEN HAIXIONG, PRESIDENT CHINA MEDIA GROUP "It has been five years since President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative. President Xi said that he raised the initiative in order to create a common community with a shared future for mankind. So what is your understanding on this practice for a global well-being?"

VLADIMIR PUTIN RUSSIAN PRESIDENT "We have always been a firm supporter to this initiative. President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative incorporates concepts of the economy and humanity. The essence of the initiative is to develop both the economy and infrastructure. We think the Belt and Road Initiative is a beneficial and promising initiative. It matches our efforts to establish an alliance in the Eurasian economy.

On May 17th, China and the Eurasian Economic Union signed deals on economic and trade cooperation in Kazakhstan's capital Astana. This agreement not only touches on issues such as lowering tariffs, but also involves other important matters, including policies on trade and technology, as well as plant quarantine measures. In fact, it was a significant step for further eliminating restrictions on economic development and cooperation.

And we believe that President Xi's initiative has a wider global vision in boosting cooperation and development for all countries and continents, for Russia's initiative is focusing on integration in Eurasian economic development. I think the two initiatives will produce better results if working together and we recognize the importance in doing so. For instance, in infrastructure, we know that our Chinese partners are very interested in the Northern Sea Route and we welcome that.

But that is only one of the directions in our cooperation. China and Russia have great plans in industrial cooperation as well as constructing railway infrastructure. The cooperation prospects are tremendous and promising. They will also lay a sound foundation for boosting future cooperation.

China is Russia's biggest trading partner. Last year, the total trade volume between the two countries reached 87 billion US dollars, and the growth of last year's first four months was equivalent to the total growth of the previous year. That was very good momentum and we need to maintain it and boost it."