China president's visit to Russia to turn page in relations

The visit of President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping to Russia (from March 22 to March 24) will open a fresh page in bilateral relations, China’s ambassador to Moscow Li Hui writes in his article that was faxed to Itar-Tass on Monday. “President of the PRC Xi Jinping will be on a visit in Russia from March 22 to March 24. This is an important historic event for Chinese-Russian relations,” the diplomat notes. “President Xi Jinping chose Russia for his first visit since assuming the presidential post, and this bespeaks of a high appraisal of Chinese–Russian relations by the leadership of China and of a high level and exclusive character of relations of comprehensive strategic interaction and partnership between China and Russia,” the ambassador writes. Bilateral relations are at present at the most favorable historic stage; mutual strategic confidence has reached the unprecedented level, he writes. Regarding commercial and economic cooperation, the ambassador noted that it continues deepening. According to Li Hui’s information, the mutual trade turnover made up 88 billion dollars, growing by 11.2 percent as compared to the same period in 2011. “China has been Russia’s biggest trading partner for two years in succession,” he notes. “Mutual investments of China and Russia are constantly on the rise; cooperation in energy develops and regional border cooperation thrives,” Li Hui writes. The ambassador emphasized the development of humanitarian contacts, mentioning the success of the National Years. The Russia Tourism Year ended successfully in China in 2012; the number of Chinese tourists who visited Russia reached 343,000,” the article says. “The opening ceremony of the Chinese Tourism Year in Russia is due soon. “This promotes the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries and consolidates the social basis of the Chinese-Russian relations,” the ambassador stressed. “On the international arena, faced with complicated entangled situations in international and regional affairs, China and Russia steadily intensify strategic interaction, give each other firm support on issues regarding the world crisis and regional hot spots, protect effectively the interests of both countries and play an important part in promoting peace, stability and flourishing all over the world,” the ambassador stressed. The upcoming state visit of President Xi Jinping to Russia “is called upon to strengthen still more mutual political confidence between our countries, deepen versatile practical cooperation, will open a fresh page in Chinese-Russian relations at the summit level and will give a new strong impetus for further deepening and development of relations of comprehensive strategic interaction and partnership," the ambassador holds.