Xi Jinping announces readiness to deepen cooperation with Russia

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a New Year’s congratulatory telegram to Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which he declared his readiness to deepen all-round cooperation between China and Russia, China’s Central Television reports.

“I am ready to maintain close contacts with President Putin and lead our countries to deepening all-round strategic cooperation and practical interaction in various fields for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries,” leads the text of the RIA Novosti telegram.

In 2022, relations between China and Russia maintained a “healthy momentum,” said Xi Jinping, who pointed, in particular, to fruitful cooperation in trade, investment and energy.

The Chinese leader also expressed confidence that in 2023 relations between Moscow and Beijing could receive “new opportunities for development.”

Yesterday, December 30, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping held video conference talks during which the Russian president invited the Chinese president to Moscow for a visit next spring.

Speaking about the results of 2022, Putin noted that the trade turnover between Russia and China would grow by about 25% (in January-November 2002, according to the Federal Customs Service, it amounted to $170 billion, in 2021 for the same period – $148 billion). According to his calculations, while maintaining such dynamics, the parties will overcome the target bar of $200 billion set by 2024 ahead of schedule. In addition, Russia is now in second place in terms of pipeline gas supplies to China and in fourth place in terms of imported LNG.

Xi Jinping, in turn, said that his country is ready to increase political cooperation with Russia.