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President Xi Jinping Speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Phone
2020-07-08 20:00

President Xi Jinping spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone on 8 July.

Xi pointed out that Russia's successful 75th annual Victory Parade at the Red Square in late June demonstrated to the world its firm resolve to honor history and safeguard peace. He noted the recent referendum held smoothly in Russia where people voted overwhelmingly in favor of the constitutional amendments, describing it as a strong testament to Russian people's support for the government and its governance philosophy. Xi reaffirmed China's longstanding and firm support for Russia in its pursuit of a development path suited to its own national conditions and its endeavors to accelerate development and rejuvenation.

Given the rapidly changing international landscape, Xi underlined the importance of close strategic communication and cooperation between the two countries which enjoy a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination. China will work with Russia to maintain strong mutual support, oppose external interference and sabotage, safeguard each other's sovereignty, security and development interests, and uphold common interests.

Xi commended the mutual support and assistance the two countries gave each other at the most trying time of the COVID-19 challenge, an endeavor which added strategic substance to China-Russia relations in the new era. As virus response becomes a long-term effort, the two countries should explore flexible and diverse ways to accelerate resumption of work and production in various fields of cooperation. In the context of the Year of Scientific and Technological Innovation in 2020 and 2021, China and Russia need to enhance cooperation in such areas as high technology, vaccine and drug R&D and bio-security. The goal is to move China-Russia relations to a higher level, advance development in both countries, and deliver more benefits to the two peoples. Xi expressed China's readiness to work with Russia for closer coordination and cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks, to uphold multilateralism, oppose hegemonism and unilateral actions, and jointly defend international equity and justice. Together, the two countries will contribute even more to enhanced global governance and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Putin said that the constitutional amendments adopted with overwhelming support in the recent referendum will help Russia uphold long-term political stability, safeguard national sovereignty and push back foreign interference. Both Russia and China value their sovereignty and security and have all along rendered each other firm support. This has been illustrated by their mutual assistance at the height of COVID-19 and by the PLA honor guard's recent participation in the Red Square parade. Noting that Russia-China relationship is as strong as it has ever been, Putin reaffirmed Russia's firm support for China's efforts to safeguard national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, its opposition to any provocation aimed at undermining China's sovereignty, and its confidence in China's ability to ensure lasting prosperity and stability in Hong Kong. With Russia-China relations at the top of its diplomatic agenda, Russia stands ready to work with China to further advance their wide-ranging practical cooperation, enhance strategic communication and coordination under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the United Nations and other frameworks, and uphold global strategic stability and security.

Putin also extended his sympathy over the flooding and geological disasters in southern China, to which Xi expressed his appreciation.

 
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