Russia-China partnership 'yielding results', Putin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang shake hands during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024.

President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday that Russia's economic and trade relations with China are producing positive outcomes, as he greeted Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Kremlin.

Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, Moscow has relied on Beijing as an economic lifeline, strengthening trade ties to unprecedented levels amidst heavy Western sanctions.

"Our trade relations are developing successfully... The attention that the two governments on both sides are paying to trade and economic ties is yielding results," Putin remarked during his meeting with Premier Li.

He further noted that both nations have devised extensive plans and projects in the economic and humanitarian spheres, anticipating long-term benefits.

In response, Li emphasized that "Chinese-Russian relations are at an unprecedentedly high level," according to the Kremlin's translation of his remarks. He credited President Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping with creating a "strong impulse for further deepening of bilateral relations."

In a separate discussion with Li, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin praised the partnership between the two countries as a stabilizing force amid the evolving global order.

"Our partnership and strategic cooperation is especially important in a situation where new contours of the global order are being formed," Mishustin stated.

"And in these conditions, the Russia-China link is a powerful stabilizing factor, promoting economic growth in both countries and increasing quality of life for our citizens."

Chinese state media, Xinhua,...