Chinese Premier Arrives in Moscow for 29th Regular Meeting with Russian Leaders
Moscow, The Gulf Observer: Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Moscow on Tuesday to participate in the 29th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government and to conduct an official visit to Russia at the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
Premier Li’s arrival at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport was marked by a grand welcome ceremony, where he reviewed the honor guard accompanied by senior Russian government officials. His visit underscores the continued strength of China-Russia relations and the importance both countries place on their bilateral partnership.
During his stay, Premier Li is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Mishustin to engage in in-depth discussions on bilateral relations, practical cooperation, and key issues of common interest. The regular meeting between the heads of government of China and Russia, an annual event since its inception in 1996, serves as a crucial mechanism for implementing the consensus reached by the two nations’ heads of state and for promoting bilateral cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
In a statement released upon his arrival, Premier Li emphasized the enduring strength of China-Russia relations, noting that under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the two nations have set a model for a new type of international relations and cooperation between neighboring major countries. He highlighted the resilience of China-Russia relations over the past 75 years, which have withstood the test of changing international circumstances and grown stronger over time.
Premier Li expressed that his visit to Russia aims to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, further the enduring friendship between the two nations, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. He pointed out that the two heads of state have already met twice this year, laying out a strategic plan for the new development of China-Russia relations, particularly as both countries mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
This year also marks the beginning of the China-Russia Years of Culture, a significant initiative aimed at strengthening cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. During Russian President Putin’s state visit to China in May, President Xi Jinping remarked on the steady growth of China-Russia relations, noting that they have grown stronger despite the changing international landscape.
Bilateral cooperation between China and Russia continues to expand across traditional areas such as energy, resources, aerospace, and connectivity, while also gaining momentum in emerging sectors like scientific and technological innovation, cross-border e-commerce, and automobile manufacturing. In the first seven months of this year, China-Russia trade increased by 1.6 percent year-on-year, reaching $136.67 billion. The total trade volume in 2023 exceeded $240 billion, nearly 2.7 times that of a decade ago.
Premier Li’s visit to Russia is expected to further solidify the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the two nations, paving the way for an even brighter future in their bilateral relations.
