Vladivostok, 5 September 2024 (TDI): Chinese Vice President Han Zheng expressed China’s optimism regarding future cooperation with Russia during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Ninth Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok on Wednesday.
The two leaders underscored the significance of their bilateral relationship as they celebrated 75 years of diplomatic ties between their nations.
Speaking at the meeting, Vice President Han emphasized that China-Russia relations have reached a “new historical starting point” and continue to thrive at a high level, guided by the strategic vision of both countries’ leaderships.
Han also reaffirmed China’s commitment to participating in the development of Russia’s Far East region and sharing development opportunities for mutual benefit.
“China is full of confidence in the prospects of cooperation between the two countries,” Han stated, adding that Beijing values the Eastern Economic Forum’s role in fostering regional development and is keen to expand its participation.
President Putin, meanwhile, hailed the unprecedented heights that Russia-China relations have achieved due to their joint efforts.
“I hope that we will identify new areas for cooperation during our discussions at the Eastern Economic Forum,” Putin remarked, underlining the importance of enhancing regional partnerships.
Putin’s Address
Putin is expected to address the plenary session of the forum on Thursday, focusing on economic and geopolitical issues. The Ninth EEF, which commenced on Tuesday and runs until Friday, has drawn over 6,000 participants from 76 countries and territories.
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Anton Kobyakov, an adviser to the Russian President and Executive Secretary of the EEF Organizing Committee, stated that the forum’s business activities are set to elevate cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region and explore solutions to unlock the economic potential of the Russian Far East.
Experts have pointed out that the attendance of high-level Chinese officials and businesses at the forum reflects Beijing’s active engagement in Russia’s Far East development, signalling a strengthened partnership for mutual benefit.
“Amid intensified Western sanctions and economic challenges, expanding cooperation across new fields is necessary for both sides,” said Li Xin, Director of the Center for Russian and Central Asian Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies.
He noted that aligning China’s strategy for revitalising its northeast region with Russia’s development plans for the Far East will benefit not only the two countries but also promote economic cooperation in Northeast Asia, contributing to regional peace and stability.
The momentum for mutually beneficial cooperation between China’s Northeast and Russia’s Far East has accelerated in recent years.
In May, Han and Putin attended the opening of the 8th China-Russia Expo in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, further solidifying ties.
Infrastructure projects, such as the Heihe-Blagoveshchensk cross-border highway bridge and the Tongjiang-Nizhneleninskoye railway bridge, have also bolstered trade and economic integration.
In 2023, bilateral trade between China and Russia exceeded $240 billion, reflecting nearly 1.7 times growth over the past decade.
