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Interview: Russian parliament leader expects fruitful visit to China

Xinhua, May 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

Sergei Naryshkin, head of the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, has said that his visit to China will further strengthen ties between the two countries.

"The experiences of all previous meetings with Chinese counterparts allow us to expect overall productive work," Naryshkin told Xinhua in a recent written interview.

"We will strive to ensure that the dialogue between Russian and Chinese officials makes major contributions to the impressive work advanced dynamically by the heads of our states and governments," Naryshkin said.

During his visit on Thursday and Friday, Naryshkin will attend the second meeting of parliamentary cooperation committee between the Russian Federal Assembly and China's National People's Congress (NPC).

The Russian delegation led by Naryshkin plans to meet leaders of China, deputies of the NPC, as well as representatives of the Chinese public, business and education.

One of the issues to be discussed during the visit is aligning China's Belt and Road Initiative with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union aimed at boosting infrastructure building, financial cooperation and cultural exchanges, according to Naryshkin.

He expressed confidence that the implementation and linking of the two mechanisms could serve as an example of equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between sovereign states.

Naryshkin said such cooperation will also support the joint work of Russia and China in the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, the United Nations and G20.

The Russian public and business representatives are very optimistic about the prospects of developing economic cooperation with China and other Asia-Pacific countries, said Naryshkin.

Noting that Western countries had renounced competitive positions in cooperation with Russia, he said more opportunities were opened for Asia-Pacific partners, including for Chinese enterprises and investors in such sectors as innovation, education and tourism.

China and Russia are celebrating two landmark anniversaries this year, the 15th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, and the 20th anniversary of the proclamation of their strategic partnership.

"All these will also contribute to the success of the forthcoming dialogue. I am convinced of that," Naryshkin said. Endi