Economy prioritized in Xi’s trip to Europe

Senior diplomats say priority areas for cooperation — such as connectivity and new energy cars — are likely to be part of the deals to be signed during President Xi Jinping’s upcoming state visit to Russia and Germany.

They spoke about the president’s trip at a briefing on Thursday in Beijing. Xi’s two state visits are scheduled from Monday to Thursday, with G20 summit meetings in Germany set for the two days after that.

Xi’s Russia trip comes as the two major economies are seeing frequent high-level exchanges and rapid progress in areas such as energy, investment and infrastructure.

During his sixth visit to Russia as president, Xi will meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, witness the signing of cooperative documents, and meet journalists and people who are working for the two nations’ friendship.

Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai said a joint statement will be released by Xi and Putin. Agreements to be signed will cover areas like trade, energy, connectivity, education and media, Li said. China is Russia’s largest trade partner, and Russia is China’s 10th largest trade partner.

Their two-way trade in the first five months of 2017 amounted to $32.4 billion, a year-onyear increase of 26 percent.

Vice-Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen said trade in services between the two also is booming, and Chinese contractors in Russia have seen a rapid increase in contracts.

In his second visit to Germany as president, also his third European trip this year, Xi will meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Angela Merkel. He will attend the inauguration of the panda pavilion of Berlin’s zoo and a friendship soccer game between teenagers from the two countries, said Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Chao.

During the visit, leaders will discuss reinforcing cooperation within the G20 framework and will exchange views on global and regional hot spots, Wang said.

On July 7 and 8, Xi will attend the 12th G20 Summit in Hamburg. The G20, including most major economies, holds discussions on economic governance for leaders at its annual summits.

Xi will deliver an important speech on the world economic situation and international economic cooperation, said Vice-Foreign Minister Li Baodong. It will present China’s opinions and promote balanced, sustained and inclusive development of the world economy, he said.

The summit will further implement the outcomes of last year’s G20 Hangzhou Summit, push the building of a global economy of openness, facilitate innovation and send a signal of solidarity and cooperation, Li added.