Russia says relations with China ‘have reached an unprecedented peak in history’

On September 12, President Vladimir Putin had a meeting with Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Truong Quoc Thanh on the sidelines of the 8th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) taking place in Russia.

Recalling the March 2023 visit to Russia after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s election to a third term, Mr. Putin said it showed that relations between the two countries reached an unprecedented peak in history. according to RIA News Agency (Russia).

“We will continue to cooperate further,” Mr. Putin said during a meeting with the Chinese deputy prime minister.

Mr. Putin said that two-way trade turnover in the first 7 months of 2023 between Russia and China has increased by 24% compared to last year, reaching 120 billion USD. The Russian President predicted that two-way trade turnover could reach 200 billion USD in the near future.

Mr. Putin also believes that relations between Russia and China will continue to develop at “breakneck speed”.

According to Reuters news agency on September 1, President Putin said he planned to soon reunite with “his friend”, Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In July 2023, Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yury Ushakov revealed that Putin planned to visit China next October, the time of the third Belt and Road Forum, in response to the invitation. of Mr. Xi during his high-level visit to Russia in March.

Mr. Putin hopes that the president of Laos will visit Russia in October

According to Reuters news agency, during a meeting on September 12 with Lao Vice President Pany Yathotou at the Eastern Economic Forum, President Vladimir Putin expressed his hope to soon meet Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith.

“I hope you will send my warmest wishes and greetings to the president of Laos. We hope to meet him in Russia, in my opinion in October,” Mr. Putin said.

According to Tass, at the meeting, Mr. Putin said the relationship with Laos is developing in many directions, mentioning cooperation in the economic and humanitarian fields.

“Interaction continues to take place between the military agencies of the two countries. I am confident that all of this has good development prospects,” he said.