Putin assesses Russian-Chinese relations' level as unprecedentedly high, expects meeting with Chinese president to support it
MOSCOW. April 26 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said he believes that his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of the international conference on development of regional economic cooperation in Beijing in May will support the unprecedented level of the Russian-Chinese relations.
"The next our contact with President Xi Jinping is scheduled for May 14-15 as part of the international conference, which is held by the Chinese government and aimed at development of economic cooperation in the region and the world," Putin said at a meeting with Li Zhanshu, director of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee.
Russia initially supported these plans, especially as "they correlate with Russia's plans in developing cooperation and integration process in the post-Soviet space," Putin said.
"I believe, this joint work will support this unprecedentedly high level of Russian-Chinese relations, which has established in the past few years," Putin said, asking to convey best wishes to the Chinese president.
Li, in turn, thanked Putin for an opportunity of a meeting and conveyed the Chinese president's best wishes to him.
"He is ready to meet with you mid-May," he said.
Russian-Chinese relations of strategic partnership have now "become mature and steady," having reached a very high level, he said.
"He [Xi] said to tell the following: Russian-Chinese relations today are at the best stage in the entire history of our relations, they are rightly considered as model relations between great powers and are quite strong and mature [...]. He also said that despite drastic changes in the international situation, we intend to stay on track with you in all circumstances. Our policy aimed at deepening and developing strategic cooperation won't change under any circumstances," he said, conveying words of the Chinese president.
