Putin, Xi Together in Moscow, as Russia and China Deepen Comprehensive, Strategic Partnership

June 5, 2019 (EIRNS)—Chinese President Xi Jinping was in Moscow for a state visit today, for talks with President Vladimir Putin, activities including the welcome reception of two new Chinese pandas for Russia, and attending a special program this afternoon at the Bolshoi Theater. Tomorrow, the two will proceed to the opening of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

The short Kremlin release on today’s Xi Jinping visit stated about the leaders’ talks in the Kremlin: “The agenda of the talks included ways of further deepening the comprehensive Russian-Chinese partnership and strategic cooperation, as well as the implementation of ambitious economic, cultural and humanitarian projects. The two leaders exchanged opinions on topical international and regional matters. A package of documents has been signed after the talks.”

Before the Xi-Putin talks took place, Xi Jinping told TASS that “Chinese-Russian relations have stood the test of the changing situation in the world and in our countries. Step by step, we have managed to bring our relations to a new level, the highest in history.” Xi stated that diplomatic relations between Russia and China began 70 years ago. He continued,

“In the context of radical change, unprecedented in the last hundred years, the people of our countries and the international community place great expectations on us.... We are ready to continue expanding the positive effect of our high-level relations together, side by side.”