Putin Ready To Advance Russia-China Co-operation Under Belt And Road Initiative
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday his country is ready to expand co-operation with China under its Belt and Road Initiative.
Mr Putin made the remarks when answering questions raised by Zhang Sutang, Vice President of Xinhua News Agency, during a meeting with heads of the world’s major news agencies on the sideline of the annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
Speaking to Mr Zhang, Mr Putin reiterated his readiness to unite efforts within the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
“Our position is precisely this. It is not only mine but also of the leaders of other EAEU countries. We are interested in developing relations with China, one of the world’s largest economies with colossal potential,” said Mr Putin. The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China in 2013 consists of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. It aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.
The EAEU comprises Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, with an aim to encourage regional economic integration through the free movement of goods, services and people within the union.
In the context of the pairing of the Belt and Road Initiative and the EAEU, infrastructure development co-operation is “priceless” in general, said the Russian President. According to him, such co-operation includes the construction of road, railway, air and maritime transport facilities linking east and west, south and north.
“It truly has a global significance. Therefore, Russia and China will work together in this area,” the president added. In his view, the situation in Russia-China border regions is developing positively: bridges under construction, crossborder trade on the increase, and direct contacts between local governments in full swing. Meanwhile, people from both countries are visiting each other, conducting all kinds of humanitarian activities and holding various economic forums.
Mr Putin said the comprehensive strategic partnership of co-ordination between Russia and China is developing “very positively” and “uniquely.”
“We are always seeking common approaches to the most complicated problems and often come forward with a unified position,” he said.
Mr Putin said the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between Russia and China is developing “very positively” and “uniquely.”