Close friendship with Russia is unshakable

Beijing's special relationship with Moscow will continue to develop, no matter what happens in wider world, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday during his sixth trip to Russia as China's top leader.

The countries are dedicated to boosting mutual political trust, connecting the Belt and Road with the Eurasian Economic Union, and coordinating closely on global affairs, Xi said, adding that bilateral ties have contributed positive energy to global peace and development.

Xi made a state visit to Russia on Monday and Tuesday before traveling to Germany for a state visit and the G20 Summit in Hamburg.

Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have maintained close contact this year and Xi highlighted their intensive talks on Monday, during which the leaders "reached lots of new consensuses".

China and Russia have always backed each other on issues related to each other's core interests, Xi said, adding that the countries have also maintained close and effective coordination on regional and global issues.

"No matter how the outside environment changes, the China-Russia relationship will not be affected," Xi said.

Noting that Xi selected Russia as the first country to visit after becoming Chinese president in 2013, Putin said Russia appreciated the gesture and cherished the friendship.

Two joint statements were issued on Tuesday outlining the main political outcomes of the visit. One concerned bilateral ties focusing on the development of China-Russia cooperation in various fields. The other dealt with global issues, with Russia and China declaring a unified position on important regional and international matters.

The two presidents witnessed the signing of several documents aimed at boosting cooperation in investment, energy, finance and agriculture and approved the 2017-20 implementation outline of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between China and Russia.

Putin presented Xi with the Order of St Andrew the Apostle, one of Russia's highest honors, for his work in strengthening friendship between the peoples of Russia and China.

"This is not only an honor for me but also a symbol of the great importance that Russia attaches to relations with China, and the Russian people's friendly feelings toward the Chinese people," Xi said at the award ceremony.

Xi's meeting with Putin was their third this year. In total, they have met 22 times.

Zhang Jingquan, a professor of Northeast Asian studies at Jilin University, said the steady development of relations is good for the stability of the Eurasian continent.

Both countries, which have sought political solutions to the Syrian conflict and the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, have played the role of a "ballast stone" in safeguarding regional and global peace and stability, Zhang said.

Contact the writer at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn