The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a briefing on the 30th. Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Hanhui introduced President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to Russia and attended the 23rd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. He also answered questions from reporters.

       Zhang Hanhui said that President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia from June 5 to 7 and attend the 23rd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. At present, the international situation is facing unprecedented changes in the past century, with the rise of unilateralism, which has seriously impacted on the basic norms of international relations; regional hot issues are fermenting, and the common threats and challenges facing human society are rising. Under the current situation, Sino-Russian relations are increasingly mature, stable and tenacious. The political mutual trust between the two sides is solid and solid, and they firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. Bilateral trade exceeded 100 billion US dollars last year, a record high. Major strategic projects in energy, aerospace, interconnection and other fields have been steadily promoted. Cooperation in emerging areas such as agriculture, finance, science and technology, and e-commerce on the Internet has developed rapidly. Cooperation between the two countries has shown strong endogenous momentum and broad prospects for development. Last year and this year, the two sides jointly held the Year of Local Cooperation and Exchange. Local exchanges continued to expand and cultural exchanges continued to heat up. China and Russia cooperate closely and effectively in international affairs, firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations as its core, firmly safeguard the international order based on international law, firmly safeguard world peace and stability and international fairness and justice, and advocate multilateralism and open world economy with a clear banner. They have played a ballast and stabilizer role in the changing International situation.

       Zhang Hanhui pointed out that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. This visit is President Xi Jinping's first state visit to Russia after his re-election as President. It is a milestone in the development of bilateral relations. It will surely promote greater development of Sino-Russian relations and open a new journey under the new situation. During his visit, President Xi Jinping will hold state activities with President Putin, attend a series of colorful cultural exchanges such as the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, sign or witness the signing of important cooperation documents. President Xi Jinping will also attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The theme of the plenary session of the Forum is "Building an Agenda for Sustainable Development". President Xi Jinping will address the plenary session of the Forum to elaborate China's important proposals in the field of sustainable development. He will work with all parties to advocate multilateralism, improve global governance and achieve common development and prosperity of the global village.

       Zhang Hanhui stressed that President Xi Jinping and President Putin will comprehensively sum up the development experience of bilateral relations in the past 70 years, make strategic plans for the future development of Sino-Russian relations, and promote the upgrading of bilateral relations. This visit will consolidate the political foundation of Sino-Russian relations, confirm greater support to each other on issues of core and major concern, ensure that bilateral relations are not affected by any international changes, open new prospects for pragmatic cooperation in various fields, transform the advantages of high-level political relations between the two countries into more tangible results, and enhance the well-being of the two peoples. It is believed that with the joint efforts of both sides, President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia will be a complete success, promote the future of Sino-Russian relations, enter a new era, and make greater contributions to the development and revitalization of the two countries and world peace and stability.

       Source: People's Daily