On the evening of May 20, President Xi Jinping had a tea chat with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi noted that he has maintained close interactions with President Putin over the years. Together, they have ensured the sustained and substantive growth of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era, strengthened popular support for the good neighborliness and friendship between the two countries, created a new paradigm of major-country relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, and provided much needed stability to a fluid and turbulent world. Today, the two leaders have reached new and important consensus on promoting the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination. As a Chinese saying goes, “Those who take real actions are more likely to succeed, and those who hit the road are more likely to reach the destination.” It is trusted that with unremitting efforts from both sides, China-Russia relations will keep the momentum of high-quality development, and continue to scale new heights.

President Putin said that this visit has been effective and fruitful. The two leaders together reviewed the history of Russia-China relations, exchanged views on a broad range of issues, and set the direction for bilateral cooperation in the next steps. This will help sustain a robust momentum for Russia-China relations. Russia hopes to maintain close communication and strengthen strategic coordination with China, so as to make new contributions to world peace and prosperity through the certainty and stability of Russia-China relations.

The two heads of state also had an exchange of views on issues including the Ukraine crisis.

Cai Qi and Wang Yi were present.