Xi confident in Chinese economy's sound development

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China's economy will have enough factors of support to maintain stable, healthy and sustainable development, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian media Tuesday.

Xi made the remarks during a joint interview with TASS Russian News Agency and Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper on the eve of his state visit to Russia.

The Kremlin Palace (L) and Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, capital of Russia, June 3, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

Sound and stable growth of China's economic trajectory

The trajectory of China's economy toward sound and stable growth remains unchanged and will not change, Xi said.

Responding to a question on China's economic outlook, Xi said his country has made remarkable achievements in economic development in the past 70 years since the founding of New China, especially in the past 40 years since the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy.

China is now the world's second largest economy, the largest manufacturer, the largest trader in goods, and holder of the largest foreign exchange reserves, he said.

Against the backdrop of a slowdown in the world economy and trade, Xi said, the Chinese economy got off to a good start in 2019 as key indicators were kept in a reasonable range.

In the first quarter, China's GDP grew by 6.4 percent, sustaining its momentum of steady growth in recent years and representing the 14th consecutive quarter of staying in the 6.4 percent to 6.8 percent range, he said.

"Domestic consumption remained the main driver of growth," he added.

Xi said that employment continued to expand, with 4.59 million urban jobs added in the first four months of 2019, personal income grew faster than the economy, and prices were generally stable, with consumer prices posting a modest growth of 2 percent.

Total imports and exports were up by 4.3 percent year-on-year, and China's foreign exchange reserves stayed above 3 trillion U.S. dollars, he said.

China's economy in numbers in the first quarter of 2019. /CGTN photo

Apart from all this, Xi said, China is in the process of optimizing its economic structure, transforming the model of development and enhancing the quality and efficiency of economic performance, thus strengthening the momentum of steady and robust growth.

Looking into the future, a number of factors will support the steady, healthy and sustainable growth of China's economy, including abundant human resources, strong internal driving forces, growing development dynamism and mobilization capability, he said.

Therefore, China has all the necessary conditions, capability and confidence to deal with any risks and challenges, Xi said.

Push forward bilateral ties into new era

China and Russia, based on their experiences and achievements over the past 70 years, have the confidence and capability to bring bilateral relations to a new era of greater development at a higher level, Xi noted during the interview.

China and Russia have conducted substantive, wide-ranging and all-dimensional cooperation of strategic significance, and enjoyed close and effective coordination and collaboration in international affairs, thus contributing tremendous positive energy to a complex and fast-changing world, he added.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Russia, which "are standing at a new starting point and facing new opportunities for growth," Xi said.

The Chinese president called on the two countries to enhance support for each other, seek greater synergy between their development strategies, expand areas of cooperation, and play a more constructive role in international affairs.

Xi highlighted economic and trade cooperation between China and Russia, saying that it has set a prime example of mutually beneficial economic engagement.

In 2018, two-way trade between China and Russia hit a record high of over 100 billion U.S. dollars. Major cooperation projects have been steadily carried out in such areas as energy, transportation, agriculture, aviation and space.

He pointed out that the statement signed by him and Russian President Vladimir Putin in May 2015 on dovetailing the Silk Road Economic Belt with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), kicked off the process to connect the two initiatives.

While stressing that security and environmental protection are crucial in developing these routes, Xi encouraged Chinese companies to take an active part and make practical contributions to the commercial operation of the Arctic shipping routes and local economic and social development.

Xi also noted that in the past six years since he was elected as the Chinese president, he had visited Russia seven times and met with President Vladimir Putin almost 30 times on various occasions.

Underlining that the friendship between Putin and him is built on a high degree of mutual trust, Xi said they treat each other with respect, candor, understanding and trust, and share similar views on the international landscape and approaches to national governance.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L, front) visits a photo exhibition of trade and economic cooperation between China and Russia with Russian President Vladimir Putin (R, front) in Vladivostok, Russia, September 12, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

"Most importantly, we share a high degree of consensus on the strategic significance of the China-Russia relationship and therefore the same resolve and desire to deepen and sustain its growth," Xi added.

Greater progress for BRICS, SCO

The Chinese president also said his country is ready to join Russia in achieving greater progress for the cooperation among the BRICS members and the development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Over the past 10 years, the BRICS countries have upheld the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, kept deepening cooperation in trade, finance, politics, security and people-to-people exchanges, and have become a positive, stable and constructive force in international affairs, said Xi.

Russia is the birthplace of the leaders' meeting of the BRICS countries, and the inaugural summit in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg has opened a historic chapter in BRICS cooperation, Xi noted.

"Coming from different continents, BRICS countries are brought together by a shared aspiration to grow our economies, deliver better lives for our peoples, and play a bigger role in regional and international affairs," said the Chinese president.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) meets with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 30, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

He urged the five BRICS countries to stay united in the spirit of equality and mutual assistance, and deepen the BRICS strategic partnership to defend the common interests and development space of emerging markets and developing countries and achieve development and progress for all.

Commenting on the SCO cooperation, Xi said that it is a successful example of the commitment of both China and Russia to forging a new type of international relations and a good platform for such efforts.

"In the 18 years since the SCO's inception, China and Russia have maintained close coordination and collaboration. As a result, the organization has kept growing and made an important contribution to peace, stability, development and prosperity in our region," he said.

Xi said that China and Russia have been committed to the Shanghai Spirit, advancing the security and development interests of SCO member states, and raising the global profile of the SCO.

"China will work with Russia and other member states to enhance unity, mutual trust, and cooperation in various areas so that our organization will keep developing to add more stability and positive energy to the world and make unique contribution to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," he said.

China's position on world issues

President Xi also expounded China's position on the Syrian conflict, the Venezuelan crisis and Iran's nuclear issue during the joint interview.

As the process of finding a political solution to the conflict is forging ahead and the Syrian government and people are starting to rebuild their homeland, China stands ready to participate in Syria's reconstruction within its own ability and do the best to help the Syrian people resume their normal life and production soon, the Chinese president said.

On the Venezuelan crisis, Xi said China holds that relevant issues should be solved by the ruling party and the opposition through inclusive political dialogue and consultation within the framework of Venezuela's constitution.

China opposes foreign intervention and unilateral sanctions and is against using force or threats of force, he said.

China is willing to make joint efforts with the international community to play a positive and constructive role in the Venezuelan crisis, make more endeavors to promote reconciliation and dialogue, jointly defend international equity and justice, safeguard the tenor and principles of the UN Charter, and help Venezuela return to the normal track of development soon, he said.

While talking about Iran's nuclear issue, Xi said the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a fruit of multilateralism which is critical to the international nuclear nonproliferation system as well as peace and stability in the Middle East and should be respected and implemented fully and effectively.

He said China holds a highly consistent view and position with Russia on the Iranian nuclear issue, expecting relevant parties to keep rational and restraint, increase dialogue and consultation and cool down the tensions for the moment.

(With input from Xinhua)