Xi, Putin hold talks in Beijing

BEIJING, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is in Beijing for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).

Xi said Putin has attended the BRF three times in a row, demonstrating Russia's support for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Lauding Russia as an important partner as China pursues international Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said the operation of major infrastructure projects such as the China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline has brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

China is willing to work with Russia and other member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to promote the alignment of the BRI with the EAEU, so as to foster higher-level and deeper regional cooperation, Xi said.

China hopes that the China-Mongolia-Russia natural gas pipeline project will make substantive progress as soon as possible, he added.

It is not an expediency, but a long-term policy to develop the China-Russia relations featuring permanent good-neighborly friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi said.

China supports the Russian people in pursuing the path of national rejuvenation independently and safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, he said, calling on the two sides to promote high-quality development of China-Russia practical cooperation and actively explore cooperation in strategic emerging industries.