President Xi Jinping reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to Moscow, saying it was a “strategic choice” to strengthen ties, during a meeting with visiting Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Tuesday.
Xi told Mishustin that China-Russia ties were advancing with steady determination “despite the turbulent and challenging external environment”, according to state news agency Xinhua.
“Safeguarding, consolidating and advancing the relationship is a strategic choice for both sides,” Xi said.
Mishustin – who is on a two-day visit to China – met his counterpart, Premier Li Qiang, in Hangzhou on Monday.
During that meeting, attended by key economic officials from both sides, Beijing and Moscow agreed to expand cooperation on local currency settlement, lunar exploration, customs and air traffic, according to Xinhua.
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Mishustin’s visit to China came days after Xi met US President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea on Thursday, when the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues and agreed to a trade war truce.
