High end Interview | Remembering Common History and Working Together to Achieve Prosperity and Prosperity between Russia and China - Interview with Russian President Putin

Moscow, August 30 (Xinhua) -- Remembering the Common History and Working Together to Achieve Prosperity and Prosperity between Russia and China - Interview with Russian President Putin

Xinhua News Agency reporters Hu Xiaoguang and Liu Kai

On the eve of attending the SCO Tianjin Summit in China and the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti Fascist War in China, Russian President Putin said in a written interview with reporters from the Xinhua News Agency that he would jointly commemorate the 80th anniversary of the great victory with China, and explore in depth new prospects and new measures for mutually beneficial cooperation to benefit the people of Russia and China. Russia and China will continue to work together to achieve the prosperity and flourishing of the two great nations of Russia and China.

  During this visit, Russia and China adopted a detailed joint statement and signed a package of bilateral documents.

"The visit has far-reaching symbolic significance for the development of Russia China relations. We have confirmed the strategic choice of the two peoples to strengthen the tradition of good neighborly friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation in the long run," Putin said.

   

  He is a true leader of a world power, a resolute leader with strategic thinking and a global perspective who always puts national interests first. In times of complex changes in the international situation, having such a leader at the helm is crucial for China

Putin pointed out that his visit to China this time will commemorate the great achievements of his parents and grandparents together with China, and commemorate the martyrs who forged the brotherhood of the two peoples with their blood and defended the right to freedom, independence and independent development of the country.

He stressed that the Soviet Union and the Chinese people bear the brunt of the war and suffered the heaviest and largest number of casualties. "The people of our two countries have made great sacrifices in the struggle against the aggressors and played a key role in defeating Nazism and militarism. These cruel tests clearly demonstrate and consolidate the fine tradition of friendship and mutual assistance between the two countries, laying a solid foundation for modern Russian Chinese relations."

"Russia will never forget that it was China's heroic resistance that became one of the decisive factors in preventing Japan from attacking the Soviet Union and stabbing us in the back from 1941 to 1942, which was a very difficult period for us." Putin said, "This enabled the Soviet Red Army to gather its strength to defeat Nazi Germany and liberate Europe." He also pointed out that when Japan treacherously provoked armed conflicts against China, the Soviet Union extended a helping hand to the Chinese people. Soviet pilots also fought alongside their Chinese comrades, bravely resisting the aggressors.

Putin said that it is our responsibility to always remember our compatriots who have demonstrated true patriotism and bravery, withstood all tests, and defeated powerful and cruel enemies. The Russian side thanks the Chinese side for carefully preserving the memorial facilities for Soviet Red Army soldiers who sacrificed their lives in battle.

Putin emphasized that in some Western countries, the achievements of World War II are being tampered with. The historical truth is being distorted and covered up to cater to the political situation. Russia and China firmly condemn any attempt to distort the history of World War II. The achievements of war, which are enshrined in the United Nations Charter and other international documents, are unshakable and any tampering is unacceptable.

When it comes to bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Putin pointed out that the economic relationship between Russia and China has reached an unprecedented high level. Since 2021, the trade volume has increased by approximately $100 billion. In terms of bilateral trade scale, China is undoubtedly Russia's largest trading partner, with Russia ranking fifth among China's trading partners last year. The settlement between the two countries has almost completely shifted towards their own currencies.

Putin said that Russia is firmly at the forefront of exporting oil and natural gas to China; Both sides continue to work hard to reduce mutual trade barriers, and in recent years have achieved exports of pork and beef from Russia to China. Food and agricultural products have become one of the main categories of goods exported by Russia to China; The scale of bilateral investment is expanding, and large-scale cooperation projects in key areas are being implemented; The two countries are closely cooperating in the industrial field. Russia is one of the main markets for Chinese automobile exports to the world. Both parties are jointly building high-tech production facilities and infrastructure projects, and have also formulated a grand cooperation plan in the field of building materials industry.

"Economic cooperation, trade exchanges and industrial cooperation between our two countries are advancing in many fields. During my upcoming visit, the two sides will conduct in-depth discussions on new prospects and new measures for mutually beneficial cooperation to benefit the people of Russia and China." Putin said.

Putin pointed out that the extensive bilateral cultural exchanges and cooperation have made important contributions to promoting the development of friendly relations between the two countries. Currently, cultural exchanges between Russia and China continue to flourish. Both sides are steadily implementing the "Roadmap for Cultural Cooperation between Russia and China before 2030", which includes over 100 large-scale projects.

Putin said that the "Russia China Cultural Year" event will be successfully held in 2024-2025. The rich and colorful event arrangements have caused the most enthusiastic social response in both countries.

Putin emphasized that the cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education and science has broad prospects. Currently, academic exchanges and cooperation between universities on both sides are showing a good development trend. Currently, there are over 51000 Chinese students studying in Russia and 21000 Russian students in China. The cooperation in the field of technological innovation continues to expand, the cooperation in the field of sports has achieved remarkable results, the cooperation in the field of film production is actively promoted, and the data in the important field of tourism is encouraging: the two-way tourist flow increased by 1.5 times in 2024, reaching 2.8 million people. In addition, both sides are also promoting cooperation in areas such as youth, media, and archives.

It is gratifying that bilateral cultural cooperation is constantly deepening and expanding. This is undoubtedly a strategic direction in the relationship between the two countries, which is conducive to building a broad social foundation for Russia China neighborly friendship and mutual understanding, "Putin said.

China is the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for 2024-2025. In 2025, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit will be held in Tianjin. Putin hopes that after the Tianjin Summit, the organization will gain stronger development momentum, enhance its ability to respond to current challenges and threats, and promote unity in the Eurasian space. "All of these will contribute to building a more just multipolar world order.

Putin pointed out that the secret behind the attractiveness of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is simple - to adhere to its original intention, welcome equal cooperation, not target any third country, and respect national and ethnic characteristics.

Based on these values, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is participating in building a more just multipolar world order, which is based on international law and plays a central coordinating role in the United Nations. The formation of an equal and indivisible security architecture on the Eurasian continent, including through close cooperation among Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states, is a significant contribution to achieving this global goal, "Putin said.

Putin believes that the Tianjin Summit will become an important milestone in the history of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. He stated that the Russian side supports the priority issues proposed by China as the rotating presidency, in order to further strengthen the unity within the SCO, deepen all-round cooperation, and enhance its role on the international stage.

I look forward to the joint efforts of all countries to inject new vitality into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and its modernization, in order to meet the requirements of the times, "Putin said.

Putin highly praises the cooperation between Russia and China within the multilateral framework. He emphasized that this is an important component of the bilateral relationship and undoubtedly a significant factor in global politics. The exchange of views between the two sides on key international issues has repeatedly proven that Russia and China have broad common interests and similar views on principle issues.

He said that the strategic coordination between Russia and China plays a ballast role. The issue of current challenges and threats always exists in bilateral political dialogue.  

Putin pointed out that the cooperation between Russia and China on the United Nations platform has reached an unprecedented height, fully in line with the spirit of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Both countries attach great importance to the work of the Friends of the United Nations Charter group, which is an important tool for uniting the global South. Russia and China support reforming the United Nations to fully restore its authority, in line with contemporary reality, "Putin said.

Putin said that close cooperation between Russia and China has brought positive changes to the work of major economic platforms such as the G20 and APEC. This year, the G20 is led by our South African friend. We look forward to recognizing the achievements of the global South at the end of its term and using them as a starting point for democratizing international relations. Within the framework of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, China's hosting in 2026 will inject new momentum into Russia China relations

Putin said that within the framework of BRICS countries, Russia and China actively cooperate and jointly promote initiatives aimed at expanding economic development opportunities for members, including establishing common partnership platforms in key areas. The two countries attach great importance to attracting more funds for the implementation of important infrastructure projects and jointly advocate for further enhancing the role of BRICS countries in solving international and regional hot issues. Russia and China jointly oppose discriminatory sanctions in world trade, which hinder the socio-economic development of BRICS member countries and the entire world.

Putin pointed out that Russia and China jointly support the reforms of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Both sides agree that the new financial system should be built on the principles of openness and true fairness, ensuring that all countries, without exception, use its tools equally and without discrimination, reflecting the actual position of member countries in the world economy.

We must move forward for the benefit of all mankind. I believe that Russia and China will continue to work together to achieve this noble goal and strive for the prosperity and flourishing of our great nation, "Putin said.

Source: Xinhua News Agency