By Li Hongmei
Chinese President Xi Jinping has selected Moscow as his first overseas trip after assuming office. President Xi's March 22 visit has a special significance, analysts say. By going to Russia, President Xi shows the importance and the hope China will invest in its relationship with Moscow; and the visit also showcases China's posture to build the strategic bilateral relationship on shared interests.
When asked by the Chinese mainstream media to comment on President's Moscow visit, Jin Canrong, a professor at Renmin University's school of international relations, said that growing, shared interests in global affairs had pushed both nations closer together.
"The China-Russia relationship has been the cornerstone of China's diplomacy, with securing peace along their longest borders of utmost importance to both nations," Jin said.
The China-Russia relationship has been the cornerstone of China's diplomacy, with securing peace along their longest borders of utmost importance to both nations
He added that China and Russia had stood together on several global diplomatic issues, including the ongoing fighting in Syria and other conflicts in the Middle East and Korean Peninsula.
In the meantime, Russia highly appreciates the fact that Chinese President Xi Jinping has chosen Moscow for his first foreign visit,
President Vladimir Putin describes Russian-Chinese relations as being on the rise and the best in their centuries-long history.
"They are characterized by a high degree of mutual trust, respect for each other's interests, support in vital issues, they are a true partnership and are genuinely comprehensive," Putin told Itar-Tass news agency.
"The President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping is currently on a state visit to Russia. The fact that the new Chinese leader makes his first foreign trip to our country confirms the special nature of strategic partnership between Russia and China," Vladimir Putin added.
After all, China has become Russia's largest trade partner for the second year in a row. The two countries see a rise in investments and a boost of energy, regional and border cooperation.
In recent years, China and Russia have furthered co-operation in the oil, gas, atomic energy and coal sectors, plus the field of technology.
The China Institute of Contemporary International Relations forecasts that trade between China and Russia will exceed US$100 billion in 2015. It grew 11.6 per cent last year to US$88.1 billion.
Chinese Foreign Ministry told a briefing yesterday that China and Russia would co-ordinate their reactions to US plans to boost its missile defense in the Asia-Pacific region, which the US says will protect it from a potential attack from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The plan has been frowned upon by both China and Russia who believe it an unpleasant experience by having the US shielding system pushed to their doorway.
President Xi's Russia visit is viewed as both symbolic and pragmatic.
Russia is becoming more than a privileged partner for China - a partner of trust. The two countries eye cooperation beyond the framework of international institutions. What Russia can offer is partnership in nukes, hydropower, nano-tech - the spheres where China is also keen. This is a strategic part of bilateral diplomatic ties.
During his stay of less than 48 hours, President Xi is scheduled to attend about 20 events, including making a speech to students at Moscow College of International Relations.
Xi will also attend the BRICS summit in South Africa next week of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
The world is now going through turbulent changes. Therefore, both China and Russia should strengthen bilateral support. The two are expected to strive for peace and stability in the region and make every effort for sustainable growth. And, hopefully, President Xi's visit will further push forward the bilateral cooperation.
