exchanges

Promoting Greater Development of High-Level China-Russia Ties

President Xi Jinping held a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on June 8 in Beijing. They both agreed to promote greater development of China-Russia relations at a high level.

The two leaders agreed that China and Russia should adhere to the concept of everlasting friendship and the spirit of strategic coordination， and expand and deepen cooperation in all areas.

Xi extended congratulations to Putin again on starting his new term as Russian president， and expressed appreciation for his choosing China as the first country for a state visit in his new presidential term.

Xi described the ChinaRussia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination as“mature， stable and solid.”

No matter how international situations change， China and Russia always firmly support each other in defending their respective core interests， deepen cooperation in all areas， jointly and actively participate in global governance， and play a pivotal role in establishing a new type of international relations and building a community with a shared future for humanity， Xi said.

The two sides have reaped important early harvests in aligning the Belt and Road Initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union.

Stressing that RussiaChina comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination remains Russias diplomatic priority， Putin said the two countries have taken care of each others core interests and major concerns， actively promoted dialogue and cooperation in political， economic， people-to-people and cultural areas， and worked closely in international affairs.

Russia-China relations are at their best level in history and have set a good example for state-to-state relations in the present world， which has played an important role in safeguarding international peace， security and stability， Putin said.

After the talks， Xi and Putin signed a joint statement and witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation agremeements.

Chinese President Meets U.S. Secretary of State

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 14.

Xi said China and the United States share broad common interests and shoulder important responsibilities in safeguarding world peace and stability and promoting global development and prosperity.

Working together， China and the United States can make big things happen to the benefit of both countries and the whole world， Xi said.

Xi expressed his hope that the United States will handle sensitive issues， including the Taiwan issue and economic and trade frictions， in a prudent way to avoid serious obstruction to bilateral ties.

Pompeo conveyed President Trumps greetings to President Xi， especially Trumps appreciation for Xis important advice and help over the Korean Peninsula issue.

Pompeo said the United States attaches importance to bilateral ties and stands ready to enhance communication with China， properly handle outstanding issues， deepen cooperation in various fields， and meet global and regional challenges.

The United States appreciates Chinas vital role in the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue， he said， adding that the United States is willing to work with China to promote realization of denuclearization and lasting peace on the peninsula.

China Expects Closer Ties with Pakistan

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain in Qingdao of east Chinas Shandong Province on June 9. Xi congratulated Pakistan on its participation in the 18th SCO summit as a full member for the first time. He indicated that China is willing to intensify high-level contact and strategic communication with Pakistan.

“The China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperation is not only the shared asset of both countries， but also offers a model for building a new type of international relations，”Xi said.

China will steadily promote the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor（CPEC） construction， and strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as energy and transportation infrastructure under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Hussain said that China is a reliable friend and steady partner of Pakistan， and relations between the two countries are unshakable.

Pakistan would adhere to oneChina policy and support Chinas core interests， he said.

Pakistan is willing to maintain high-level contact with China， deepen cooperation in areas such as economy， trade， security， push ahead with the construction of CPEC， and enhance coordination on global and regional affairs， Hussain said.

“Pakistan supports China in playing a bigger role in international affairs， which is important to maintaining global security and stability，” he added.