Russian, Chinese Presidents Discuss Syria, Efforts to Combat Int’l Terror

BEIJING— Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday discussed with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping joint efforts in combating international terrorism, situation in Syria and North Korean nuclear problem, Sputnik said.

“We discussed the further steps in addressing the most pressing global and regional issues, joint efforts to combat international terrorism, strengthening security in the Asia-Pacific region, ensuring the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Among the common foreign policy objectives is assistance to the Syrian settlement, maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, in Central Asia,” Putin said following Russian-Chinese talks.

 Russia, China Have Similar International Stances, to Continue Coordination

According to Putin, Russia and China have mainly coinciding international stances and will continue to coordinate within platforms such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

“Russia and China have similar or almost coinciding stances on the international stage. We will continue to further coordinate steps in multilateral organizations. Primarily in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS,” Putin clarified.

Russia, China to Expand Transactions in National Currencies

Putin pointed out that the two countries will expand transactions in national currencies to reduce dependence on foreign market.

The Russian leader added that Russian ruble took a 3-percent share of such transactions, while Chinese yuan’s share was 9 percent.

Russia and China agreed on Saturday to develop cooperation on nuclear energy projects in third countries, Vladimir Putin said.

“Peaceful atomic cooperation is growing stronger. We are closing on the launch of two more energy units, built using Russian technology, at the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in 2018. We have agreed to work closer together on the markets of third countries,” Putin said after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Russia and China will agree on construction of high-speed railroad between Moscow and Russia’s western city of Kazan until the end of the year, Russian President said.

The Russian leader added that Moscow and Beijing were working on large-scale initiatives in infrastructure development.

Russia and China will also take action to enhance their economic cooperation, Putin said

“Russia has been stepping up oil exports via Russian-Chinese oil pipeline. We are advancing a project to build a refinery in Tianjin. Works on the Force of Siberia gas pipeline are on schedule and it’s expected to reach full capacity in 2020. We are discussing conditions to deliver Russian gas to China through the western route,” Putin said.

Russia, China Closely Cooperate on Security

The Russian President went on to say that Moscow and Beijing closely cooperate in the fields of foreign policy and security. “We have a common approach to a wide range of global and regional issues. The coordination of law enforcement agencies has been strengthening, including in countering the main threat — terrorism,” Putin said.

“We have managed to establish stable trade and economic ties, to create a strategic energy alliance. We are expanding the financial and investment cooperation, boosting cooperation in the field of innovation and high technologies,” Putin added.

China-Russia Ties to Only ‘Deepen’ Amid Chaotic International Situation

On his part, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and Russia should expand political cooperation due to the difficult international situation.

“The more difficult the international situation gets, the more decisively we must be guided by the spirit of the strategic cooperation, friendship, we should enhance bilateral support, strengthen political and strategic cooperation, deepen our relations,” the Chinese leader said.

He added that due to the joint effort, the bilateral trade turnover between the countries in January-May reached almost $26 billion.

China Stands Against Unilateral Policy of Sanctions

President Xi Jinping stated that China stands against imposing sanctions unilaterally or using them as a threat.

“We have always called for political settlement of intergovernmental disputes and urgent regional crises through friendly consultations and peaceful talks. We are against threats of using force, inconsiderate use of sanctions and threats to use them, as well as unilateral sanctions policy and unilateral actions taken without consent from stakeholders,” Xi said.

  China-Russia Partnership ‘Healthy’ for Int’l Politics

The Chinese also said that strategic partnership between Russia and China contributes to the healthy development of international and regional politics.

“We are engaged in very close contacts. Thus we maintain a high level of our strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation contributing to the healthy development of regional and international politics… I highly appreciate our efforts with President Putin to strengthen bilateral relations in the new era,” the Chinese leader said.

He added that the ongoing Putin’s visit had a special significance since this year marks the 20th anniversary of the bilateral strategic partnership agreement between the two states.

Moscow and Beijing are expected to sign over 30 cooperation agreements during Putin’s visit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is paying an official visit to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Source: Sputnik

H.M