China to make over 150 mln doses of Sputnik Russian Covid-19 vaccines - Putin

MOSCOW. Dec 15 (Interfax) - More than 150 million doses of the Sputnik V and Sputnik Light Russian Covid-19 vaccines will be produced in China, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"China is becoming an international center for the production of the Russian vaccines Sputnik V and Sputnik Light. Contracts have been signed with six Chinese producers to make more than 150 million doses of these vaccines," Putin said during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping by video link.

The implementation of the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, which has been extended for another five-year period, has helped bring Russian-Chinese relations to an unprecedented level, Putin said.

"A new model of cooperation has been formed between our countries. The principles it relies upon include non-interference in internal affairs and respect toward each other's interests, as well as the determination to transform the common border into a belt of eternal peace and good neighborliness," he said.

The Chinese leader, in turn, said that China and Russia "resolutely support each other in issues concerning the vital interests of the other country, also defending their national dignity and common interests."

"Our bilateral cooperation has shown a vast political advantage of opportunities. In the first three quarters of the year, our bilateral trade exceeded the mark of $100 billion for the first time, and there are grounds to expect, as you said in November, that it will reach $130 billion by the end of this year," Xi said.

At various international events, Putin highly assessed the development of Russian-Chinese relations, describing them as an example of interaction between states in the 21st century, the Chinese president said.

"You firmly supported China's efforts to defend its key national interests and resolutely opposed attempts to drive a wedge between our countries. I greatly appreciate that," Xi said.