简体中文
Foreign Affairs
Xi hails development of China-Russia ties
Last Updated: 2014-02-09 01:46 | Xinhua
 Save  Print   E-mail

 

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) gives an interview to a Russian TV channel in Sochi, Russia, Feb. 7, 2014. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Chinese President Xi Jinping said in an interview aired Saturday that he is "very satisfied" with the fruitful development of China-Russia relations.

The bilateral relationship has entered a phase that boasts the most solid foundation, the highest level of mutual trust and the greatest regional and global influence ever, he said in the exclusive interview with Rossiya TV.

Xi recalled that he paid a visit to Russia in March last year only a few days after taking over the Chinese presidency, during which he and President Vladimir Putin reached important consensus on and charted the course for further strengthening bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperation.

China-Russia cooperation, Xi added, has so far borne rich fruit in such fields as trade and economy, energy, advanced technology, people-to-people exchanges and international affairs, not only promoting the development and prosperity of both countries, but also helping safeguard international justice, stability and peace.

"I am very satisfied with the achievements in the development of China-Russia relations," he said.

Xi traveled to this Russian resort city on Thursday to attend Friday's opening ceremony of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games at the invitation of Putin. The three-day visit was his first foreign trip this year.

Describing China and Russia as good neighbors, good partners and good friends and calling Putin his old friend, Xi said he came to Russia to offer his congratulations in person over the Sochi Olympics as is customary for the Chinese people to do upon their neighbors' joyous occasions.

Referring to his latest meeting with Putin on Thursday, Xi said the two sides agreed to unswervingly support each other on issues concerning their core interests and turn political advantages in their relations into cooperation advantages.

The Sochi trip has marked a "good start" for the advancement of bilateral ties in 2014, added the president.

 

 

Xi's Sochi trip highlights China's emphasis on soft power: British experts

Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance at the opening ceremony of the on-going Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia underscores China's emphasis on the soft power aspect of sports and its growing involvement in high-level diplomacy, British experts have said.

"China's high-level diplomacy was an occasional concern to China's leaders, but now it shares top priority with domestic issues," said Stephen Perry, chairman of the 48 Group Club, an independent business network committed to promoting relations between Britain and China.

Xi's visit to the Russian resort city of Sochi from Thursday to Saturday marks the first attendance by a Chinese head of state at an opening ceremony of a major overseas sports event, and the second time for the Chinese leader to make Russia his first overseas trip in the new year.

Perry, a seasoned British entrepreneur and China watcher, said Xi's Sochi trip shows that China's foreign policy is more "proactive," adding that the country sees sports as an aspect of "soft power."

"In this period, China's domestic reforms are being challenged by some international adventurism. China will act more proactively to ensure global stability and peace," he said.

According to Perry, the synergy of Russia and China has been "clear and developed in stages" since the formation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), followed by the creation of BRICS mechanism amid the global financial crisis.

"Chinese foreign policy is identified with the overall policies of Chinese President Xi Jinping. He is much more involved in deciding China's foreign policy than his predecessors because China has become a regional power and a global force," he said.

Tim Summers, a senior consulting fellow of the Asia Program at Chatham House, a leading British think-tank, said China's stress on its ties with Russia reflects the country's overall diplomacy.

"This emphasis on relations with Russia is part of an all-round diplomacy, balances China's relations with other major powers, and is important as Russia remains a major neighbor of China and an influence in China's wider regional neighborhood," Summers told Xinhua.

Experts also voiced concerns over the politicization of the Sochi Winter Olympics by the West.

"Russia is having unfair political spoiling treatment for the Sochi Games, and this will not help global sports," Perry warned, saying China would support politics-free Olympics as well as regional and global sports.

0
Share to 
Related Articles:
Most Popular
BACK TO TOP
Edition:
Chinese | BIG5 | Deutsch
Link:    
About CE.cn | About the Economic Daily | Contact us
Copyright 2003-2024 China Economic Net. All right reserved