Vladimir Putin before the start of negotiations with the Chinese delegation.
Photo: Vladimir VELENGURIN. Go to Photobank KP
On Wednesday, July 3, on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Astana, a meeting was held between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping.
And it started in a very unusual way. The two leaders did not enter the negotiating room through the central doors together with their delegations (instead, each one appeared separately, first the Russian, then the Chinese).
Suddenly I saw the leaders right next to me: they, without having passed through any entrance gate, were moving side by side, hand in hand. From which one could conclude: Putin and Comrade Xi, before the start of the official part of the negotiations, had already managed, as they say, to exchange a word, perhaps even more than one.
After this, our leader, with a barely perceptible gesture, placing his hand on his chest, paid tribute to his Chinese colleague. And simultaneously they sat down at the negotiating table.
Only after this did Putin address the guests with a short speech.
She was reserved but interesting. And I personally paid attention to the following words.
– Dear Mr. President! Dear friend! Dear Chinese colleagues, friends!
We are all happy to see you again and welcome you, this time on the sidelines of the SCO summit.
Let me begin our meeting by explaining how our previous meeting ended.
I remember how warmly you welcomed us all in China. On behalf of myself and all my colleagues, I would like to thank you for this hospitality.
Sergei Lavrov, sitting next to the president, looked (kindly) at the Chinese comrades sitting opposite.
“We held very detailed negotiations,” Putin continued, “signed a joint programmatic declaration and launched the cross-cultural years.” Then, during our visit to Harbin, we were able to once again see how close the historical ties are between Russia and the People’s Republic of China.
After this, the President will return to the agenda of the SCO summit.
THIS IS WHAT THE PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA SAID AT THE MEETING WITH THE CHINESE DELEGATION
– Our countries were at the origin of the creation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in 2001. With the expansion of the circle of participants – and tomorrow Belarus will become another full member of the organization – the organization has strengthened its role as one of the key pillars of a fair multipolar world order.
– Of course, we will support China’s SCO presidency in 2024-2025.
– It has been rightly said more than once that the Russian-Chinese relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction are going through the best period in their history. They are based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit and respect for each other’s sovereignty.
– It is noteworthy that humanitarian exchanges are expanding in all directions. The mutual tourist flow is growing. Last year it amounted to more than 1.2 million trips. And in January-May of this year, more than 260 thousand people used the visa-free group tourism channel alone.
– Russian-Chinese interaction in world affairs is one of the main stabilizing factors in the international arena and we continue to strengthen our interaction in this area.
– Our cooperation is not directed against anyone. We do not create any bloc or union. We simply act in the interest of our people.
– Trade is growing. We saw this during my visit to the People’s Republic of China. And today we can confirm this once again. For the first half of this year, we are seeing a positive trend…
The Chinese leader’s welcome speech was short but concise.
WHAT COMRADE XI JINPING SAID.
… – Holding a meeting on the sidelines of multilateral events is not only a good tradition between us, but also the embodiment of the high level of Sino-Russian relations.
– In May of this year, you (addressing Vladimir Putin – AG) successfully conducted a state visit to China, which allowed us, in the anniversary year of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, to outline priority directions for further development of our relations.
– The agreements reached between us are now being fully implemented, and our multifaceted cooperation is steadily moving forward according to plan.
-Faced with the international situation and external environment that are far from easy, we should remain committed to friendship forever, work hard for the well-being of the people, enhance the unique value of China-Russia relations, cultivate new drivers of cooperation, make unremitting efforts to protect our legitimate rights and interests and the basic norms of international relations.
