Premier Li meets with Putin

China is ready to further link the Belt and Road Initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union, Premier Li Keqiang said while meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in Moscow.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in Moscow.[Photo/Xinhua]

The alignment can boost bilateral cooperation in traditional and emerging areas to expand cross-border trade and further develop Russia's Far East area, said Li.

China and Russia are making new progress in new areas such as the digital economy, technological innovation and small and medium-sized enterprises, while promoting cooperation in traditional areas such as energy, transport, production capacity equipment and agriculture, Li said.

Li said President Xi Jinping met with Putin in Da Nang, Vietnam shortly after the conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership is firmly moving forward, Li said.

The premier said China would like to strengthen coordination with Russia in international affairs and maintain close exchanges under multilateral mechanisms, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which will help regional cooperation and make constructive contributions to global peace and development.

Putin welcomed Li to Russia for the 16th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Minister) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Both countries have maintained frequent high-level exchanges, showing stable and high-profile bilateral ties, he said.

Bilateral trade is steadily increasing and cooperation in areas such as energy, transportation infrastructure and agriculture is being advanced, Putin said. The Eurasian Economic Union and the Belt and Road Initiative, which can complement each other, should be better aligned to achieve win-win outcomes, he said.