China’s Xi describes Putin’s visit as very fruitful

SHANGHAI, May 20 (Itar-Tass) - China’s leader Xi Jinping has described Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China as very fruitful. “Our meeting last February promoted Russian-Chinese cooperation. Our countries’ commissions and agencies have been very active in implementing the results of the previous meeting in Sochi, thereby laying a solid basis for the talks in Shanghai,” Xi said. “We have signed a joint statement geared to expanding cooperation in a variety of fields, as well as the coordination of diplomatic efforts with the aim to enhance Russian-Chinese strategic cooperation,” he said. “We were also witnesses to the signing of a number of cooperation agreements. Putin’s visit is very fruitful,” Xi said. He hopes that “the further development of Russian-Chinese relations will rely on all-round strategic partnership for the purpose of better justice around the world and world peace.” It is a second meeting of Russian and Chinese leaders this year. Before, Putin and Xi met at the opening of the Sochi Olympics last February. China is Russia’s main trading partner. In 2013 bilateral trade achieved a record-high of 88.8 billion dollars (going up by 1.7 percent in contrast to 2012). In the first quarter of 2014 bilateral trade increased by 2.2 percent. Learn more on itar-tass.com