Xi: China, Russia set example for major-country ties

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China and Russia treat each other as their most important strategic partner of coordination and diplomatic priority, Chinese President Xi Jinping said during his meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Beijing on Friday, adding that Beijing and Moscow have set an example for major-country relations as well as ties between neighboring countries.

Xi hailed fruitful cooperation between China and Russia in various fields and their close coordination and collaboration in international affairs, describing the two countries as "key factors" and "constructive forces" that promote peace and stability in the world.

"Relations between China and Russia have maintained a high level of development since the start of the year and bilateral political mutual trust has reached an unprecedented level," he said.

The Chinese president noted that he has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin three times over the past five months.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) awards his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin the first-ever Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, June 8, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

In June, Putin paid a state visit to China and attended the 18th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the coastal city of Qingdao. Xi awarded Putin China's first Friendship Medal during the visit.

The two leaders met again in late July in South Africa's Johannesburg, where they took part in the 10th BRICS summit.

Last month, Xi visited Russia's Far Eastern city Vladivostok for the fourth Eastern Economic Forum and held talks with Putin.

Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia, Xi noted. He told Shoigu that Beijing is willing to make joint efforts with Moscow to propel their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination to new levels and bring more benefits to the people in both countries.

Xi added that ties between Chinese and Russian militaries are an important part of the two countries' strategic cooperation, expressing his hope that the two sides will further enhance military cooperation to address their common security threats.

The Chinese president called on the two countries to firmly strengthen strategic coordination, work together as ballast stones for a stable international order, and safeguard their own and common interests.

The joint command headquarters of the Chinese military in September's Vostok-2018 exercise in Russia. /Photo by Yang Zaixin

Shoigu said Putin attaches great importance to Russia-China military cooperation and spoke highly of the coordination and collaboration between the two sides in the Vostok-2018 strategic exercise in September.

Russia is willing to enhance military cooperation with China so that both sides can better address various security challenges, the defense minister stressed, calling on the two sides to make joint efforts to safeguard their common interests and make contributions to international and regional peace and stability.

(Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, October 19, 2018. /Xinhua)

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