CHINA and Russia's leaders lauded on Wednesday (May 20) the progress in their strategic ties, as they met in Beijing for summit talks where Moscow is expected to push for stronger energy links.
Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian President Vladimir Putin that China would share development opportunities with Russia and the world as a part of its latest five-year economic plan.
“China will continue to advance the building of a strong nation and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernisation, and will unswervingly expand high-level opening up, sharing development opportunities with Russia and other countries around the world to jointly create a better future for mankind,” said Xi during a bilateral meeting with Putin, as the two leaders sought to deepen ties between Beijing and Moscow.
Putin, at the invitation of Xi, is on a state visit to China from Tuesday (May 19) to Wednesday. This is Putin's 25th visit to China.
The rare back-to-back visits to Beijing by the leaders of two major countries deeply at odds with each other politically, militarily and economically have been hailed by Chinese state media as recognition of China's global standing in an increasingly fragmented world order.
