Moscow, 21 August 2024 (TDI): On invitation from Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for the official visit and the 29th regular meeting between the heads of state of China and Russia.
A huge welcome ceremony was held for Li Qiang when he arrived at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport. Senior Russian government figures were present when the premier examined the honor guard.
Li will have a meeting with Mishustin while he is there to discuss in-depth topics of shared interest, practical cooperation, and bilateral ties.
Since its establishment in 1996, the annual summit between the heads of state of China and Russia has been a crucial tool for putting the agreement reached by both nations’ leaders into practice, as well as for fostering bilateral collaboration and people-to-people interactions.
Li Qiang stated in a statement issued upon arrival that China and Russia established a model for a new kind of international relations as well as relations between neighboring big countries, under the strategic direction of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The relationship between China and Russia has endured for the past 75 years despite shifting global conditions, growing stronger and more vibrant over time, Li said.
The relationship has also demonstrated new vigor and vitality in the new era, with increased political trust between the two countries, fruitful cooperation in a variety of fields, a deep-rooted friendship, and efficient international coordination.
According to Li, the objectives of his visit to Russia are to carry out the agreement made by the two leaders of state, create a lasting friendship that will benefit future generations, and strengthen cooperative efforts.
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The 75th anniversary of the foundation of diplomatic ties serves as the new historical starting point for the development of China-Russia relations, and he emphasized that the two heads of state have met twice this year to lay out the top-level design and strategic plan for this new chapter.
According to Li, it is anticipated that both countries’ combined efforts will usher in a better future for the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation for a new era.
The China-Russia Years of Culture officially began this year, which also happens to be the 75th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations.
During Putin’s state visit to China in May, Xi stated that throughout the previous 75 years, the relationship between China and Russia had strengthened through wind and rain and withstood the test of a shifting global environment.
With concerted efforts on both sides, Xi stated that relations between China and Russia have been gradually improving, with increased comprehensive strategic coordination and additional cooperation on trade and economics, energy, investment, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as at the subnational level and in other areas.
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In addition to sustained success in more established sectors like energy, resources, aerospace, and connectivity, bilateral cooperation has also seen significant growth in more recent ones like scientific and technology innovation, cross-border e-commerce, and auto manufacturing.
China-Russian trade reached 136.67 billion US dollars in the first seven months of this year, up 1.6% year over year. In 2023, the amount topped 240 billion dollars, which is over 2.7 times more than it was ten years earlier.
