Sochi boosts China-Russia relationship
- By Ruan Zongze
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E-mail China Daily, February 8, 2014
The Russian president has emphasized that Russia and China share a special relationship and that he has a special feeling for China. Xi's Chinese Dream and Putin's vision to revive Russia within 20 years both are aimed at nation building and can drive China-Russia ties to greater heights in the coming years.
Summit diplomacy has a very prominent role in the strategic layout and top-level design of bilateral partnership, and the two countries have been cooperating more closely in dealing with bilateral, regional and international issues. At the bilateral level, China has been Russia's largest trading partner for four years. And their cooperation in large strategic projects, including projects to increase oil and natural gas supplies to China, is advancing steadily.
The two countries have also discussed ways to deepen cooperation in building a Silk Road economic belt, and this year China will be hosting China-Russia Youth Year of Friendship Exchanges - followed by Russia in 2015 - to foster people-to-people exchanges, especially friendship among the youth.
Besides, China and Russia have been cooperating to resolve the Syrian crisis, and the Iranian and Korean Peninsula nuclear issues. In particular, China's frigate Yancheng joined the warships of Russia, Denmark and Norway to escort Syria's chemical weapons for destruction. During the mission, China and Russia cooperated tacitly, reflecting their willingness to take the responsibility of establishing world peace and security.
In Sochi, Xi and Putin held talks on advancing bilateral ties in 2014, exchanged views on deepening cooperation in big and practical projects and people-to-people exchanges, and set the plan to tackle major international and regional issues. In this context, Xi's visit to Russia will consolidate China-Russia friendship and strategic cooperation.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between China and Russia, and the meeting between Xi and Putin will make their bilateral relations develop "higher, faster and stronger".
The author is deputy director of China Institute of International Studies. The article first appeared in the People's Daily Overseas Edition.
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