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Wednesday, June 05, 2019, 14:20
Xi: China ready to join Russia for greater BRICS, SCO progress
By Xinhua
Wednesday, June 05, 2019, 14:20 By Xinhua

President Xi Jinping gives the keynote speech at the opening of the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 in Beijing's Yanqing district on April 28, 2019. (FENG YONGBIN / CHINA DAILY)

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday China is ready to join Russia in achieving greater progress for the cooperation among the BRICS members and the development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Coming from different continents, BRICS countries are brought together by a shared aspiration to grow our economies, deliver better lives for our peoples, and play a bigger role in regional and international affairs

Xi Jinping,

President, China

Xi made the remarks at a joint interview with TASS Russian News Agency and Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper on the eve of his state visit to Russia, where he will also attend the 23rd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Over the past 10 years, the BRICS countries have upheld the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, continuously deepening cooperation in trade, finance, politics, security and people-to-people exchanges, and have become a positive force in international affairs, Xi said.

Russia is the birthplace of the leaders' meeting of the BRICS countries, and the inaugural summit in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg has opened a historic chapter in BRICS cooperation, Xi noted.

"Coming from different continents, BRICS countries are brought together by a shared aspiration to grow our economies, deliver better lives for our peoples, and play a bigger role in regional and international affairs," Xi said. 

READ MORE: Xi's visit to open new prospects for China-Russia ties

The world is now undergoing profound changes, and the BRICS countries are facing both challenges and opportunities, Xi said. 

He urged the five BRICS countries to stay united, and deepen the BRICS strategic partnership to defend the common interests and achieve development and progress for all.

Noting that China and Russia are comprehensive strategic partners of coordination and important BRICS members, Xi said that the two countries have had close communication and coordination within the BRICS framework.

Commenting on the SCO cooperation, Xi said China and Russia's commitment is a good example in forging a new type of international relations and a good platform for such efforts. 

"In the 18 years since the SCO's inception, China and Russia have maintained close coordination and collaboration. As a result, the organization has kept growing and made important contribution to peace, stability, development and prosperity in our region," he said.

ALSO READ: Xi calls China, Russia key forces in promoting world peace

Xi said China and Russia have been committed to the Shanghai Spirit, advancing the security and development interests of SCO member states, and raising the global profile of the SCO.

"China will work with Russia and other member states to enhance unity, mutual trust and cooperation in various areas so that our organization will keep developing to add more stability and positive energy to the world and make unique contribution to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," he said.

Pushing ties into new era

China and Russia, based on their achievements over the past 70 years, have confidence and capability to bring bilateral relations to a new era, President Xi said on Tuesday.

The relationship between China and Russia is at its best and is presented with new opportunities for further development, Xi said during the interview ahead of his state visit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, holds talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2019. (XIE HUANCHI / XINHUA)

The China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership is stronger than before, Xi said, adding the two countries are enjoying mutual trust and support on issues and major concerns.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Russia, which "are standing at a new starting point and facing new opportunities for growth," Xi said. He highlighted economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. 

In 2018, trade between China and Russia hit a record high of over US$100 billion. Major projects have been carried out in areas such as energy, transportation, agriculture, aviation and space.

Xi noted that he had visited Russia seven times and met with President Vladimir Putin on various occasions.

Underlining their ties, Xi said they also share similar views on the international landscape and approaches to national governance. "Most importantly, we share a high degree of consensus on the strategic significance of the China-Russia relationship and therefore the same resolve and desire to deepen and sustain its growth," he said.  

China's stance on Syria, Venezuela and Iran issues 

President Xi also expounded China's stance on the Syrian conflict, the Venezuelan crisis and Iran's nuclear issue during the joint interview. 

Xi said the Syrian situation continues to be turbulent and in finding a political solution to the conflict, China stands ready to participate in Syria's reconstruction within its own ability and do the best to help, Xi said.

On the Venezuelan crisis, Xi said China holds that relevant issues should be solved by the ruling party and the opposition through inclusive political dialogue and consultation within the framework of Venezuela's constitution. He added China opposes foreign intervention and unilateral sanctions, and is against using force or threats of force. 

With regards to Iran's nuclear issue, Xi said the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a fruit of multilateralism which is critical to the international nuclear nonproliferation system as well as peace and stability in the Middle East.

Confidence in China's economy

China's economy will have enough factors of support to maintain stable, healthy and sustainable development, President Xi made the remarks during the interview. 

Xi said China has made remarkable achievements in economic development, especially in the past 40 years since the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy.

The Chinese economy got off to a good start in 2019 as key indicators were kept in a reasonable range. In the first quarter, China's GDP grew by 6.4 percent, Xi said.  "Domestic consumption remained the main driver of growth," he added.

Containers are organized in stacks at the Yangshan Deep Water Port, part of the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone in Shanghai, Feb 13, 2017. (PHOTO / VCG)

Xi also said employment continued to expand, with 4.59 million urban jobs added in the first four months, personal income grew faster, and consumer prices were stable posting a modest growth of 2 percent.

Total imports and exports were up by 4.3 percent year-on-year, and China's foreign exchange reserves stayed above US$3 trillion, he said.

China is in the process of optimizing its economic structure and the trajectory of China's economy toward stable growth remains unchanged, Xi said. 

A number of factors will support the steady growth of China's economy, including abundant human resources, strong internal driving forces and mobilization capability, Xi said.

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