China's top diplomat meets Russian presidential aide, chairman of Maritime Board

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, meets with Russian presidential aide and chairman of the Maritime Board Nikolai Patrushev in Beijing, capital of China
Photo: Xinhua

China's top diplomat Wang Yi met with Russian presidential aide and chairman of the Maritime Board Nikolai Patrushev in Beijing, Xinhua reports.

Conveying President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to President Putin, Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, said the close communication between the two heads of state led bilateral relations to a higher quality and a higher level.

Under the guidance of the two heads of state, the strategic mutual trust between China and Russia has become more solid, cooperation in various fields has become more resilient, and multilateral coordination has been tightened, said Wang.

Wang noted that China and Russia both shoulder important responsibilities in international maritime affairs and have broad prospects for cooperation, adding that China stands ready to work with Russia to enhance the alignment of maritime strategies between the two countries.

"China is ready to work together with Russia, enhance coordination between the two countries' maritime strategies, capitalize on their complementary advantages, protect each other's legitimate maritime rights and interests, maintain maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region, and ensure normal navigation along key sea routes worldwide," the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoted Wang Yi as saying.

The top Chinese diplomat said it was necessary to respect the sovereignty and security of states adjacent to the sea, ensure stable energy supplies, and maintain the safe operation of production and supply chains. He also highlighted the importance of broader exchanges of views on maritime and Arctic issues, TASS quoted.

According to Wang Yi, China and Russia should harness the ocean to develop Sino-Russian relations, "contribute to improving global maritime affairs management, and promote the formation of a maritime community with a common destiny.

Wang expressed congratulations on the State Duma election in Russia last month, noting that the results fully demonstrated the common will of the Russian people.

Patrushev conveyed President Putin's sincere greetings to President Xi, adding that maintaining close exchanges between the two heads of state is the best guarantee for the development of bilateral relations.

Russia is willing to enhance cooperation with China in areas such as multilateral maritime governance, draw on China's useful experience in shipbuilding, logistics, maritime trade and other fields, and join hands with China to promote the building of a maritime community with a shared future, adding a new dimension to the comprehensive strategic coordination between Russia and China, said Patrushev.

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