Putin’s Beijing visit likely

The potential visit by Russia’s leader will strengthen various fields

BEIJING, China (China Daily) — Officials in Beijing and Moscow remain in close contact over a potential visit by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to China, which was initially due to take place this autumn, says China’s ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui.

“The potential visit by Russia’s leader will strengthen various fields of bilateral practical cooperation, enhance international strategic coordination and benefit both peoples,” Zhang said on Saturday.

Likely Putin would visit China in September.

China and Russia helped one another during the most difficult period of the novel coronavirus pandemic, which added to the Sino-Russian comprehensive strategic partnership, Zhang said.

Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi

Jinping have held four telephone conversations to discuss collaboration between the two countries throughout the pandemic, and the close contact between them underlined the strength of the relationship between Moscow and Beijing, Zhang said.

Russia’s ambassador to China, Andrey Denisov, said in an interview in May that despite the pandemic it was likely Putin would visit China in September.

“Although the coronavirus pandemic has hit the global economy and bilateral trade, the long-term positive trend of Sino-Russian trade will not change, and we are confident that the target of reaching $200 billion worth of trade turnover by 2024 will be accomplished,”

Zhang said.

RUSSIA President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China will strengthen various fields for the country’s bilateral cooperation, enhanced international strategic coordination and mutual citizen’s benefits.