Ahead of Visit to Moscow, President Xi Jinping Praises China-Russia Relations Tested by Time

Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Source: China.org/Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

JAKARTA - Russian-Chinese relations have gone through difficult times throughout their history, but in the end they proved to be strong and tested, Chinese Leader Xi Jinping said in an interview with the Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily.

"At the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, I will soon pay a state visit to the Russian Federation. Russia is the first country I visited after I was elected President 10 years ago," President Xi Jinping said in an article published ahead of his visit to Russia, reported TASS, March 20.

"Over the past decade, I have made eight visits to Russia. I have come with high expectations each time and returned with fruitful results, opening a new chapter for China-Russia relations together with President Putin," he continued.

It is known that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold negotiations in Moscow on March 21.

"Looking back on the extraordinary journey of China-Russia relations over the past 70 years and beyond, we feel deeply confident that our relations did not reach the easy reach they are today, and that our friendship is growing steadily and should be cherished by all of us," Leader Xi said.

"China and Russia have found the right path in the interaction between countries. It is very important for this relationship to survive in the face of changing international situations, a lesson that history and reality bring out," he stressed.

Previously, Moscow and Beijing announced that Xi Jinping would pay an official visit to Russia on March 20-22. According to an earlier report from the Kremlin, the negotiations will address "current issues regarding the further development, comprehensive partnership relations and strategic cooperation between Russia and China."

"My upcoming visit to Russia will be a journey of friendship, cooperation, and peace. I look forward to working with President Putin to jointly adopt a new vision, new blueprint, and new steps for the growth of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in the coming years," President Xi said.

"To achieve this goal, both parties need to improve coordination and planning. When we focus on each other's development and rejuvenation goals, we must be creative in thinking, creating new opportunities and injecting new impetus," he explained.

"It is important for us to enhance mutual trust and bring out the potential for bilateral cooperation to maintain China-Russia relations at a high level," said President Xi.

It is known, the leaders of the two sides also plan to exchange opinions in the context of deepening Russia-China cooperation in the international arena. They are also expected to sign a number of important bilateral documents.