Mikhail Mishustin reminded Xi Jinping about the coming year of the dragon

On Wednesday, December 20, a meeting between Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Chinese President Xi Jinping took place in Beijing. At the beginning of his speech, the head of the Russian government conveyed warm wishes to the Chinese leader from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mikhail Mishustin also expressed deep condolences to Chairman Xi in connection with the loss of life as a result of the earthquake in northwestern China, and also recalled that Russia is ready, if necessary, to provide assistance in eliminating the consequences of the tragic disaster.

Speaking about the negotiations with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang on Tuesday, Mikhail Mishustin noted that trade and economic cooperation between our countries has overcome difficult challenges this year. Russia and China have reached a new level, and mutual trade turnover amounted to almost 18 trillion rubles or about 1.5 trillion Chinese yuan. “We have completed the task that you and President Putin set for us,” the Russian Prime Minister said, addressing Chairman Xi. It is important that our countries have almost completely switched to national currencies in their payments: about 90 percent of payments are made in Russian rubles or Chinese yuan. Good results have also been achieved in the investment sector: there are 80 joint projects totaling 20 trillion rubles.

Also in his speech, the Russian Prime Minister congratulated the Chinese side on the 45th anniversary of the policy of reform and opening up. And Mikhail Mishustin ended his opening remarks not only with a reminder that the New Year and the Chinese Year of the Dragon according to the lunar calendar are approaching, but also with a wish in Chinese.