Beijing, May 20 (SANA) Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged deeper strategic cooperation during talks in Beijing on Wednesday while calling for an immediate end to hostilities in the Middle East and greater international stability amid rising global tensions.
Opening the meeting, Putin described Xi as a “dear friend” and cited a well-known Chinese proverb expressing the value of reunion and friendship, saying: “One day apart feels like three autumns.”
The talks focused on bilateral relations, global governance, energy cooperation and regional security developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East.
Putin said relations between Russia and China had reached an “unprecedented” level and described the partnership as a model of strategic cooperation based on mutual respect and long-term interests.
He said the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation signed between the two countries 25 years ago continued to serve as the foundation for expanding ties across political, economic and strategic sectors.
According to Putin, trade volume between Russia and China has risen thirtyfold over the past quarter century, reflecting growing economic integration between the two countries.
He also said Russia continued to maintain its role as a reliable supplier of energy resources despite tensions and instability linked to the crisis in the Middle East, while describing China as a responsible consumer of global energy resources.
Putin said Moscow and Beijing shared a vision for building what he called a “more democratic” international order and confirmed Russia’s readiness to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled to take place in Shenzhen later this year.
Xi described Putin as an “old friend” and said relations between the two countries had reached an advanced stage due to strengthened political trust and continued strategic coordination.
He said Russia and China were jointly shaping bilateral relations on the basis of mutual benefit and respect while contributing to stability and predictability in what he described as a turbulent international environment.
Xi warned that the world faced the risk of returning to the “law of the jungle,” stressing the growing importance of cooperation between Moscow and Beijing in maintaining balance in international affairs.
The Chinese president also called for an immediate halt to fighting in the Middle East and said renewed conflict was unacceptable.
He said reaching a rapid settlement to the crisis would help reduce pressures affecting international trade routes and global energy supplies.
The meeting comes about a week after U.S. President Donald Trump visited China, where discussions focused on trade, technology, energy security and geopolitical stability amid growing competition among major powers over global influence and economic partnerships.
China and Russia have expanded political, economic and energy cooperation in recent years amid increasing tensions with Western powers over issues ranging from security and trade to regional conflicts and global governance.
N.J/ABD
