Fourth Eastern Economic Forum: China-Russia ties grow

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Europe

01:49

The fourth Eastern Economic Forum will be held in the Russian port city of Vladivostok September 11-13.

President Xi Jinping will be the first Chinese leader to attend the event. He and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have developed a great synergy in the past few years.

The two countries have also seen a boost in trade recently with Russia recording the fastest growth in bilateral trade among China's major trading partners in the first four months of this year.

The total trade volume between the two is expected to reach more than 100 billion US dollars this year.

In an exclusive interview with the China Media Group earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin attributed the close economic ties to the two neighboring countries' traditional friendship.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) interviewed by China Media Group President Shen Haixiong at the Kremlin, June 6, 2018. /VCG Photo

"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," said Putin.

The leaders of the two world heavyweights also show a great respect for each other.

In the same interview, President Putin said this about President Xi: "He is a remarkable thinker who likes to analyze problems. It’s very interesting to talk with him about issues regarding world affairs and economy. So, as far as I’m concerned, he is an appropriate partner and a good friend I can count on."

Russian President Vladimir Putin. /VCG Photo

Moscow attaches great significance to this year’s Eastern Economic Forum, hoping to better integrate its Far East region with neighboring countries.

China was the number-one trading partner of the Far East in 2017, contributing nearly 8 billion US dollars, or 27 percent of the region's total.

Chinese companies invested 4 billion dollars in 28 projects in the region, covering areas like agriculture, forestry, mining and light industry.

As Russia looks to unleash the potential of its Far East region, it knows it can always reach out to its partner to the south.