Bilateral ties acknowledged as top priority of diplomacy

China would like to make joint efforts with Russia to strengthen high-level trust and expand cooperation in all areas to pass on the China-Russia friendship to more generations, President Xi Jinping said on Friday.

Xi made the remark while meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Before the talks, Xi hosted a grand ceremony to welcome Putin, who will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Qingdao, Shandong province, on Saturday and Sunday.

The two leaders agreed to uphold the two countries' traditional friendship and strategic cooperation, expand and deepen cooperation in all areas, and push the development of China-Russia relations to a higher level in the new era.

Xi once again congratulated Putin on the start of his new term as president, and said he appreciated that Putin selected China as the country for his first state visit in his new term.

No matter how the international situation changes, China and Russia have always deemed each other the top priority of their diplomatic relations, Xi said.

The two countries have firmly safeguarded each other's core interests and enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, energy, people-to-people exchanges and local-level communications, Xi said.

Xi pointed out that China and Russia have worked together to play positive roles in participating in global governance and building a community of shared future for mankind.

Noting that the China-Russia relationship is at a historic new point, Xi said the two countries are facing important opportunities for development.

Both countries have established new governments, with all vice-premier-level cooperation mechanisms operating smoothly, Xi said, adding that the two sides should carry forward the good tradition and push for new progress in cooperation in all areas.

The two countries have made an important early harvest in the connection of the Belt and Road Initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union, Xi said, adding that the two sides should seek more new measures to enhance cooperation.

China and Russia, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, have firmly safeguarded the international order and system with the principle of the UN Charter as the core, Xi said.

The two countries have been dedicated to the democratization of international relations and the resolution of hot issues, Xi said.

He added that both countries have played a positive role in maintaining global peace and stability.

China would like to make joint efforts with all SCO members, including Russia, to use the opportunity of the summit to ensure the continued healthy development of the SCO, Xi said.

Putin said deepening the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is the priority of Russia's diplomacy.

Russia and China have taken each other's core interests and major concerns into consideration, pushed dialogue in such areas as politics, economy and people-to-people exchanges, and enhanced communication on global affairs, he said.

Russia-China relations have become a leading example of bilateral ties nowadays, and the two countries have played important roles in safeguarding global peace, security and stability, he said.

Russia would like to enhance cooperation with China in such areas as economy, trade, investment, energy and infrastructure, Putin said.

The Russian president said he appreciated China's efforts to push cooperation among SCO members while China holds the organization's presidency.

During the meeting, the two leaders also exchanged views on issues that concern both sides, including the Korean Peninsula situation and the Iran nuclear issue.

After the meeting, the two presidents signed a joint declaration. They also witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation documents and jointly met with the media.