China’s Xi in Russia to ink defence and energy deals
22 March 2013 5:49 AM IST
Chinese President Xi Jinping has embarked on a visit to Russia on Friday, his first trip abroad after assuming charge, amid expectation of a major boost in bilateral defence ties, including Moscow’s sale of its latest weapons to cash-rich Chinese military.
Billed as the most significant visit by a Chinese leader to Russia after the 1961 break of ties between the erstwhile Soviet Union and Communist Party of China headed by Mao Zedong.
‘The fact that I will visit Russia, our friendly neighbour, shortly after assuming Presidency is a testimony to the great importance China places on its relations with Russia and to the high level and special nature of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries,’ Xi told editors of the BRICS nations earlier this week.
Highlighting the importance of the new emerging relationship aimed at counter US Pivot to Asia-Pacific, 59-year-old Xi said relations are ‘booming’ as the two countries have completely settled the boundary issue in 2004 placing their political ties on a solid foundation.
Two-way trade between China and Russia surged by 14 times in 20 years and reached a record USD 88.2 billion last year.
Cooperation on major strategic projects in energy, investment, aviation and space and other fields is booming, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges are dynamic, Xi said.
His visit comes in the backdrop of the two countries concluding framework agreements for the sale of four Russian Amur-1650 diesel submarines to China and sale of latest Su-35 long-range fighter planes.
Russia eyes the burgeoning Chinese defence budget which touched USD 115.7 billion this year.
This is perhaps for the first time in a decade Russia planned to sell more powerful weapons plant forms to China than the ones being supplied to India, Moscow’s longstanding strategic partner. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping said China and Russia are expected to strike deals on boosting oil trade and building a natural gas pipeline during Xi's visit.
Billed as the most significant visit by a Chinese leader to Russia after the 1961 break of ties between the erstwhile Soviet Union and Communist Party of China headed by Mao Zedong.
‘The fact that I will visit Russia, our friendly neighbour, shortly after assuming Presidency is a testimony to the great importance China places on its relations with Russia and to the high level and special nature of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries,’ Xi told editors of the BRICS nations earlier this week.
Highlighting the importance of the new emerging relationship aimed at counter US Pivot to Asia-Pacific, 59-year-old Xi said relations are ‘booming’ as the two countries have completely settled the boundary issue in 2004 placing their political ties on a solid foundation.
Two-way trade between China and Russia surged by 14 times in 20 years and reached a record USD 88.2 billion last year.
Cooperation on major strategic projects in energy, investment, aviation and space and other fields is booming, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges are dynamic, Xi said.
His visit comes in the backdrop of the two countries concluding framework agreements for the sale of four Russian Amur-1650 diesel submarines to China and sale of latest Su-35 long-range fighter planes.
Russia eyes the burgeoning Chinese defence budget which touched USD 115.7 billion this year.
This is perhaps for the first time in a decade Russia planned to sell more powerful weapons plant forms to China than the ones being supplied to India, Moscow’s longstanding strategic partner. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping said China and Russia are expected to strike deals on boosting oil trade and building a natural gas pipeline during Xi's visit.
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