Chinese Top Legislator Zhao Leji’s Official Goodwill Visit to Russia

Moscow, The Gulf Observer: At the invitation of Viacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the Russian parliament’s lower house, the State Duma, and Valentina Matviyenko, Chairwoman of the Russian Federation Council, China’s top legislator Zhao Leji made an official goodwill visit to Russia from July 9 to 13.

Zhao Leji, Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg and held separate talks with Matviyenko and Volodin in Moscow. He also participated in the 9th meeting of the China-Russia Committee for Parliamentary Cooperation in Moscow on Wednesday.

During his meeting with President Putin, Zhao conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s cordial greetings and well-wishes. Commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, Zhao highlighted the robust development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, which has yielded significant benefits for both nations under the strategic guidance of their leaders.

Recalling the recent meeting between Xi and Putin in Astana, Zhao expressed the NPC’s readiness to collaborate with the Russian Federal Assembly to implement the key agreements reached by their leaders. This collaboration aims to bolster political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, and enhance the friendship between the two peoples.

President Putin asked Zhao to convey his greetings to President Xi and noted their successful meeting during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana. He emphasized the strong cooperation between Russian and Chinese legislative bodies, which supports bilateral priorities and fosters a conducive environment for economic, cultural, and legal progress.

In his discussions with Matviyenko and Volodin, Zhao emphasized the importance of adhering to the strategic guidance of their leaders, maintaining strategic focus, and supporting each other on core issues. He noted that the NPC has maintained close cooperation with Russia’s Federation Council and State Duma, enriching bilateral strategic coordination. Zhao called for leveraging mechanisms such as the China-Russia Committee for Parliamentary Cooperation to deepen exchanges and enhance multi-level cooperation.

Additionally, Zhao underscored the need for stronger coordination on multilateral platforms like the BRICS cooperation mechanism, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the SCO to uphold international equity and justice.

Matviyenko remarked on the high level of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership under the strategic guidance of their leaders and called for stronger legislative cooperation, increased sub-national exchanges, and enhanced bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Volodin reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to the one-China principle and called for innovation in the cooperation model between legislative bodies to enhance the level of cooperation.

At the 9th meeting of the China-Russia Committee for Parliamentary Cooperation, Zhao highlighted the committee as a crucial platform for legislative exchanges and cooperation, reflecting the unique and high-level nature of China-Russia relations. He urged both legislatures to strengthen strategic coordination, share governance experiences, and promote practical cooperation through the rule of law.

Zhao also emphasized fostering traditional friendships to solidify public and social support for state-to-state relations and enhancing multilateral coordination to unite and strengthen the Global South at the legislative level.

During his visit, Zhao laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow, honoring those who sacrificed their lives for their country.