President sets the stage for progress in talks with foreign leaders

Russia

Vladimir Putin, president of Russia

China and Russia should strengthen communication and promote the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to enhance its influence in global and regional affairs, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday while meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Noting that the SCO is facing new opportunities and challenges, Xi said China and Russia should firmly observe the "Shanghai spirit", boost solidarity among SCO members, maintain regional security and stability, and promote pragmatic cooperation.

Xi urged the SCO to play a bigger role in Afghanistan's peace and reconciliation process, adding that China, which will assume the SCO rotating presidency after the Astana summit, is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with all parties, including Russia, to achieve further development of the SCO.

Given the current complex international situation, sound China-Russia ties are of great significance to the two countries' development and revitalization, as well as to the peace and stability of the world, Xi said. They should strengthen their mutual support on issues relating to each other's core interests, he said. Xi urged further progress in aligning construction of the Belt and Road with the Eurasian Economic Union, which has a single market that includes Russia and other countries.

The Chinese president also urged the two countries to deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs.

Putin said it is of great significance for Russia and China to maintain frequent high-level interactions. He urged the two sides to step up their communication and coordination in a bid to maintain peace, stability and security in the region and around the world.

Russia and China should work together with all sides concerned to boost unity and coordination among the SCO members to enhance the influence of the organization in international affairs, Putin said.

The Russian president reiterated his congratulations on the success of the recent Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and said the Belt and Road Initiative has won extensive support in the international community.

They also exchanged views on Afghanistan and the Korean Peninsula, and on other international and regional issues.