China, Russia face historic opportunity in linking development strategies: Chinese FM

China and Russia are facing a historic opportunity to link the development strategies of both countries for deeper bilateral cooperation, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Tuesday after meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

"Russia is not only a major European country but a great power in the Asia-Pacific region," Wang said. "As Russia has decided to develop its Far East, China is stepping up its efforts for further opening its west while pursuing an all-round opening up to the outside world. This has brought a rare historic opportunity to link the two countries' development strategies."

According to the Chinese Foreign Minister, a major step to grasp the opportunity is to link China's Silk Road Economic Belt initiative with Russia's idea of creating a cross-Eurasia passage and speeding up its Far East development, along with more cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union.

"This will not only give new weight to the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, but also open up new sphere for pragmatic cooperation and inject fresh impetus into the overall development and rejuvenation of Eurasia," he added. Endite