China's top diplomat meets Russian senior official

SHANGHAI, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Maxim Oreshkin, deputy chief of staff of the Russian Presidential Executive Office, on Friday in Shanghai.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, welcomed Oreshkin, who is in China to attend the World Artificial Intelligence Conference and sign an agreement on establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) on behalf of the Russian government.

Wang said China is willing to work with Russia to promote the healthy, safe and orderly development of AI, focus on enhancing the capacity building of the Global South countries, and make AI an important increment of comprehensive strategic coordination between China and Russia in the new era.

The mutual trust and friendship between the heads of state of the two countries are the fundamental guarantee for the development of China-Russia relations, Wang said, adding that both sides should follow the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries and promote the further development of bilateral ties.

Oreshkin said the establishment of the WAICO is a major initiative of China that benefits the world.

Russia highly appreciates the initiative and is very glad to become a founding member of the organization, Oreshkin said, adding that Russia looks forward to working hand in hand with China to expand cooperation in the AI field.