Chinese, Russian presidents hold talks on bilateral ties (2)

On China-Russia ties, Xi said the important cooperation consensus he reached with Putin had been well implemented with the efforts of both sides, and that new achievements were made in various fields.

Noting that he valued the sound development of China-Russia ties, Xi said he is ready to make joint efforts with Putin to advance the bilateral relations.

Xi called on the two countries to continue to tap their huge potentials, nurture new growth points in cooperation and smoothly push forward the cooperation in large strategic projects, adding such projects as increasing oil and natural gas supplies to China, expanding oil pipeline and jointly building oil refinery, should be implemented as scheduled.

China welcomes Russia to participate in the construction of the Silk Road economic belt and a maritime silk road, so as to make them new platforms for the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, he said.

He also called on the two countries to guarantee the successful holding of the China-Russia Youth Year of Friendship Exchanges in 2014 and 2015.

Xi pointed out that China and Russia have kept close cooperation on major international and regional issues, listing the joint mission of escorting the shipments of Syria's chemical weapons.

China and Russia should continue to deepen consultation and cooperation on major international issues and jointly safeguard peace, security and stability of the region and the world at large, the Chinese president added.

The two leaders also agreed to hold activities to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the 70th anniversary of the victory of Anti-Japanese War in 2015, so as to remember the history and educate future generations.

Putin, for his part, said the bilateral ties have been developing rapidly and made outstanding achievements.

The Russian leader said he is confident that bilateral trade will hit 100 billion U.S. dollars in 2015.

The Russian side is delighted to see the significant increase of Chinese investment, Putin said, adding the two countries have carried out smooth cooperation in the fields of energy, military and security.

The joint mission of escorting the shipments of Syrian chemical weapons showed that Russia and China made great contributions to safeguarding world peace and regional security, he said.

The Russian president said he is ready to keep close contact with Xi in the new year and jointly advance cooperation in oil and natural gas exploitation, nuclear energy, aviation, telecommunications and people-to-people exchanges.

Russia responds actively to China's proposals of building the Silk Road economic belt and a maritime silk road, Putin said.

Putin said the Nazi forces' aggression toward European countries including the Soviet Union, and the serious crimes committed by the Japanese imperialist military in China and other Asian countries can not be forgotten, adding that Russia is willing to make joint efforts with China to hold commemorative activities.

The two leaders also exchange views on situations in Ukraine and on the Korean Peninsula.

Xi arrived in this Russian resort city earlier Thursday to attend the opening ceremony of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games. The three-day visit is his first foreign trip this year.