Xi, Putin pledge to enhance regional, int'l cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Da Nang, Vietnam, Nov. 10, 2017. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

DA NANG, Vietnam, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met here Friday with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on further strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation on regional and international affairs.

The pair met on the sidelines of the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting held in Vietnam's Da Nang city.

Recalling his multiple meetings with Putin, Xi said their efforts in guiding a steady and long-term growth of China-Russia ties at a high level have achieved gratifying results.

Noting that China and Russia have firmly supported each other in safeguarding their core national interests, and further strengthened political mutual trust, Xi said the two countries are strategic partners that have truly placed trust in each other.

The Chinese president said the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has set a good example for a new type of international relations that highlights mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation.

Putin extended congratulations on the successful conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and pledged to always make the development of Russia-China partnership a priority of Russia.

Russia stands ready to enhance cooperation with China in regional and international affairs, carry out closer communication and coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the APEC, and push forward the construction of the Free Trade Agreement of the Asia Pacific, said Putin.

China is willing to join Russia in firmly boosting high-level development of bilateral ties so as to better promote their respective security and development, and safeguard regional and global peace and stability, Xi said.

He told Putin that as the socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era while Russia has also been walking in steady steps toward a stronger and wealthier country.

"At this crucial time for our respective development, China-Russia ties are also facing new development opportunities," he said, urging both sides to continue expanding mutual support and enhance all-round cooperation.

He also called on the two countries to advance the quantity and quality of bilateral trade at the same time, well implement major projects in such fields as energy, investment, high-tech, aviation and aerospace, as well as infrastructure, and push for concrete results from the alignment of the construction of the Belt and Road initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union.

On regional and international hotspot issues, Xi and Putin agreed that the two countries need to carry out closer communication and coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the APEC, the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, and push forward the building of the Free Trade Agreement of the Asia Pacific.

After Xi briefed him on the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Putin extended congratulations on the successful conclusion of the congress and Xi's re-election as the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, saying these important results proved that China's domestic and foreign policies under Xi's leadership have won broad support from the Chinese people.

Putin pledged to always make the development of Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination a priority of Russia.

Hailing Xi's successful visit to Russia this summer, Putin urged both sides to well implement the important consensus reached by him and Xi, conduct closer high-level and people-to-people exchanges, and deepen cooperation in economy and trade, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, aviation and aerospace.

The two leaders also conducted in-depth exchanges of views on issues of common concern, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula.