Xinhua News Agency, Moscow On the afternoon of March 20 local time, President Xi Jinping, who had just arrived in Moscow, was invited to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.
On his arrival, Xi was greeted by the Kremlin Commander at the drop-off point. President Putin shook hands warmly with Xi Jinping and posed for a photo. The two heads of state had an in-depth and frank exchange of views on Sino-Russian relations and issues of common concern.
Xi Jinping noted that he was pleased to pay another state visit to Russia at the invitation of President Putin. Ten years ago, I chose Russia for my first visit after taking office as President, which is still fresh in my mind. Over the past ten years, I have maintained close contact with President Putin. Whether it was my re-election as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China at the 20th Communist Party Congress or my re-election as President of China recently, you were the first to send me a message of congratulations, for which I am deeply grateful. Russia will hold presidential elections next year. Under your strong leadership, Russia has made great strides in its development and revitalisation. I am confident that the Russian people will continue to give you their unwavering support.
Xi Jinping stressed that there is a profound historical logic in the development of China-Russia relations to date. As the largest neighbour and comprehensive strategic cooperation partner, China-Russia relations occupy a priority position in the overall diplomatic situation and foreign policy of each. China has always pursued an independent and autonomous foreign policy. The consolidation and development of China-Russia relations is a strategic choice made by China based on its fundamental interests and the general trend of world development. The general direction of strengthening strategic cooperation between China and the Russian side is unwavering. Both China and Russia are committed to national development and revitalisation, both support multipolarity in the world and both promote the democratisation of international relations. The two sides should further deepen practical cooperation in various fields, strengthen coordination and cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral platforms, contribute to the development and revitalization of their respective countries, and be the mainstay of world peace and stability.
Putin warmly welcomed Xi Jinping on his state visit to Russia and once again extended his warm congratulations to Xi on his re-election as Chinese President. Putin said that over the past decade, China has made great achievements in all aspects of development that have caught the world's attention, thanks to President Xi Jinping's outstanding leadership and proving the superiority of the Chinese state system and governance. I am confident that under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping, China will continue to develop and prosper and successfully achieve its ambitious goals. Thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, Russia-China relations have achieved fruitful results in various fields in recent years. Russia is ready to continue to deepen bilateral practical cooperation with China, strengthen communication and cooperation in international affairs, and promote the process of multipolarization of the world and democratization of international relations.
The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine issue. Xi stressed that on the Ukraine issue, peaceful and rational voices are building up, with most countries supporting the de-escalation of tensions, advocating peace talks and opposing adding fuel to the fire. Historically, conflicts have eventually needed to be resolved through dialogue and negotiation. Not long ago, China issued a special position paper calling for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis, opposing the Cold War mentality and unilateral sanctions. We believe that the more difficult it is, the more space must be left for peace; the more acute the contradictions, the less we can give up on dialogue efforts. China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political solution to the Ukraine issue.
Putin said that Russia appreciates that China has always upheld an impartial, objective and balanced position on major international issues and presided over fairness and justice. The Russian side has carefully studied China's position paper on the political settlement of the Ukrainian issue, is open to peace talks and welcomes China's constructive role to this end.
The two heads of state said they look forward to talks again tomorrow to map out a new blueprint for a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Russia in the coming period.