At the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of preserving and enhancing China-Russia relations.
Xi urged both nations to continuously maintain the unique value of their bilateral ties and explore the internal driving forces of cooperation. Reflecting on Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to China in May, which celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Xi highlighted the significant plans they have jointly developed for the future.
Amid an international landscape marked by turbulence and change, Xi stressed the need to uphold the original aspiration of lasting friendship and the determination to benefit their peoples. He called for efforts to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests while upholding the basic norms governing international relations.
The Chinese president expressed his anticipation for in-depth discussions with Putin and other SCO member states to promote the organization's steady and long-term development, aiming to build a closer SCO community with a shared future.
In response, Putin stated that Russia-China relations are at their highest historical level, characterized by mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit. He affirmed Russia's support for China in safeguarding its core interests and legitimate rights, as well as opposing external interference in China's internal affairs and matters concerning the South China Sea.
With China set to assume the rotating presidency of the SCO, Putin assured that Russia will fully support China's leadership and, alongside other member states, work to enhance the organization's international influence, maintain regional peace and security, and advocate for a more just and reasonable international system.
As the current rotating chair of BRICS, Russia also looks forward to strengthening communication and cooperation with China to further BRICS initiatives. Both leaders exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern, including the Ukraine crisis, with Xi reaffirming China's commitment to promoting peace and negotiations to resolve regional hotspots.
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Xi Jinping urges China, Russia to preserve unique value of ties
cgtn.com
