Two nations' leaders meet in Moscow and confirm their agreement on regional and international issues

China and Russia are dedicated to boosting mutual political trust, connecting the Belt and Road with the Eurasian Economic Union and coordinating closely on global affairs, President Xi Jinping said when he talked with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on July 3, adding that the bilateral ties have added positive energy on the path to global peace and development.

Beijing's special relationship with Moscow will continue to develop, no matter what happens in the rest of the world, Xi said.

"No matter how the outside environment changes, the China-Russia relationship will not be affected," Xi said.

He made a state visit to Russia on July 3 and 4 before traveling to Germany for a state visit and to attend the G20 Summit in Hamburg.

Noting that China and Russia are good neighbors, friends and partners, Xi told Putin during talks at the Kremlin that the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples boasts a strong vitality and huge development potential and will be able to withstand the test of international vicissitudes.

This was Xi's sixth trip to Russia since taking office, and the third meeting between the two heads of state this year. They have met a total of 22 times.

The two presidents also met with representatives from nongovernmental organizations, media and enterprises, encouraging them to further contribute to bilateral relations.

With joint efforts made by both sides, the two countries have made progress in the areas of economics, trade, military, technology and people-to-people communication, Putin said, adding that they have also had constructive interactions in international affairs.

Two joint statements were issued on July 4, outlining the main political outcomes of the visit. One concerned bilateral ties, focusing on the development of China-Russia cooperation in various fields. The other dealt with global issues, with Russia and China declaring a unified position on important regional and international matters.

The two presidents also witnessed the signing of a number of documents to boost cooperation in such areas as investment, energy, finance and agriculture and approved the 2017-20 implementation outline for the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between China and Russia.

The foreign ministries of both countries also issued a joint declaration on the Korean Peninsula issue.

Putin presented Xi with the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, one of Russia's highest honors, for his prominent work in strengthening friendship between the peoples of Russia and China.

"This is not only an honor for me but also a symbol of the great importance that Russia attaches to relations with China, and the Russian people's friendly feelings toward the Chinese people," Xi said at the award ceremony.

Yang Cheng, deputy director of the center for Russian studies at East China Normal University in Shanghai, says the two countries will continue their close ties and work on international issues at the same pace.

He says the meeting between Xi and Putin is not only significant to bilateral cooperation, but plays an important role in some multilateral relations, especially the relationship of both countries with the United States and the future trend of international politics and economics.

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(China Daily European Weekly 07/07/2017 page8)