Xi Visits Russia: High expectations for Chinese president's state visit

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02:59

Expectations are high for Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Russia. Mutual trade and cooperation between the two countries reached an all-time high at the end of 2018, but they are still working to further expand economic and political ties. Our correspondent Aljosa Milenkovic reports from Moscow.

Behind these famous red brick walls of the Kremlin, Russian and Chinese presidents will meet again on Wednesday.

It is their second meeting this year, and first in Russia. The two presidents met at the second Belt and Road Summit in Beijing earlier this year and discussed deepening cooperation in the BRI framework.

Now, it is time for talks to continue, as Russia's role in the BRI is considered crucial by Chinese officials.

LI HUI CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO RUSSIA "The Belt and Road Initiative has added a driving force to the economic development in the two countries. While bilateral cooperation in traditional fields such as energy, nuclear power, aerospace and infrastructure have been consolidated, collaboration in high-tech, agricultural trade, e-commerce and finance is further pushing the two countries closer."

Experts say trade cooperation is a result of enhanced political relations. That's why there have been a number of high-level trade deals between major companies from both sides. But at the same time, there is a serious lack of mutual collaboration between small and medium enterprises.

PROFESSOR ALEXEY MASLOV HEAD OF THE SCHOOL OF ASIAN STUDIES "The total amount of Chinese investments in Russia from 1991 up to the present day is less than 30 billion US dollars. That is much, much less than for example Chinese investments in Western Europe or the United States."

In order to change that, Russia is eager to attract all and not just high profile Chinese investments, such as the Great Wall car factory, or Belyy Rast railways cargo terminal.

Favorable political climate is seen as an excellent vehicle for achieving that.

ALJOSA MILENKOVIC MOSCOW "The two countries have dramatically changed their attitude towards each other over the past three decades. It seems they both understood that great things can be achieved when neighbors collaborate and work together."

That positive momentum created by the two presidents years ago, resonates among Moscow residents today.

YAROSLAV GRICHI MOSCOW RESIDENT "I support these good relations between our president and the Chinese president in economy and other areas. In today's world, it is very important to have allies like this on a strategic level. That's why I'm for it."

VIKTORIYA MOSCOW RESIDENT "I think Russia has to be friends with China and they should support each other, and expand economic and cultural ties. China is a big country with a long history and collaboration is just mutually beneficial."

Many here in Russia expect this visit to be the next step in expanding collaboration between the two countries. Aljosa Milenkovic, CGTN, Moscow.