Chinese president stresses adherence to developing relations with Russia

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday that China firmly sticks to the policy of developing its comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and broadening all-round pragmatic cooperation with Russia.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who attended commemorations here to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

He expressed appreciation for Russia's support to the commemorations and a Russian guard of honor's participation in the military parade.

Both China and Russia, as main battlefields during World War II in Asia and Europe respectively, made great sacrifices and contributions to the victory of the war, he added.

The president said his attendance at Russia's commemorations in May to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, Russia's term for WWII, and Putin's attendance at Thursday's commemorations aimed to promote regional and world peace and boost the cause of human peace and progress.

The two sides should expand cooperation in the fields of finance, investment, energy and regional affairs, work out a long-term outline to combine the China-proposed Silk Road Economic Belt initiative and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union project, and implement their cooperation projects, he added.

China and Russia are both founding members of the United Nations and permanent members of the UN Security Council, he said.

Xi called on the two countries, taking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the world body as an opportunity, to keep strengthening coordination in the international community to review history and create future.

The international community should safeguard the fruits of the WWII victory, adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and build a new type of international relationship with win-win cooperation as its core, said the president.

Putin said he was deeply impressed by the grand commemoration and military parade earlier in the day.

He spoke highly of Xi's address at the gathering, which he said sent a clear, strong message for peace.

Russia is committed to deepening its comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, he said, adding that his country is willing to keep boosting pragmatic cooperation with China in energy, petrochemical industry, finance, aerospace and other areas.

Russia is also ready to strengthen cooperation and coordination with China in the United Nations and other international and regional organizations, Putin said.

After the meeting, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a number of agreements for cooperation in various fields. Endi