Vladimir Putin discussed Russia' part in the "One Belt, One Road" economic forum with the Head of the Chinese Parliament today. The goal of the forum, which will soon take place in China, is to lay the basis for collaboration for creating new trade passages on the continent. Countries of the Eurasian Union are prepared to actively participate in the project. High level of trust between Moscow and Beijing will promote it. Denis Davydov is reporting.

Chinese politicians are some of the most frequent guests in Moscow. There are usually large delegations and a very busy agenda. Did you get any rest? I apologize for such a heavy agenda from our side. Zhāng Déjiāng is the 3rd person in China's political hierarchy. He's Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

While welcoming the guest, Vladimir Putin spoke highly of the Parliamentarians' investment into the collaboration of the two countries. Our strategic relationship with China are strongly supported by the Parliamentarian connections. We have an intense contact schedule for our inter-Parliament channels and for administrative ones, on a higher level. Our two-way relationship of the Universal Strategic Partnership are at the best level throughout their history. I think that the Russian-Chinese cooperation has a large growth potential.





Starting in 2013, leaders of the 2 countries have already met 20 times. The intensity of the political contacts is unusually high. Valentina Matvienko emphasized that today, when she welcomed her Chinese colleague in the Federation Council. The Russian-Chinese relationship is at a historically high level. It became the example of how the relationship between two grand nations must be in the modern era. It's very important that the Russian-Chinese tandem has become a firm standing factor in the international affairs.

Moscow's and Beijing's positions are similar on many international issues. They both stand for a peaceful solution of the Syrian crisis, and against the escalation of matters on the Korean peninsula. By the way, Zhāng Déjiāng has a very warm relationship with Pyongyang. He is considered an expert on North Korea. He studied there for a few years, in the Kim Il-Sung University. During the multiple-hours negotiations in Moscow, they probably talked about the uneasy situation around North Korea.

However, they mostly spoke about economics in front of the cameras. China is Russia's largest trading partner. The turnover will soon hit a 70 billion dollar mark. Moscow and Beijing are discussing the possibility of settlements in their own currencies. Rubles are already circulating in Chinese provinces, bordering with Russia. Cities along the Amur River have strong decades-long trading connections. I visited Blagoveshchensk in 1992. It's a very beautiful city. A lot of our tourists go there. Soon a bridge over the Amur River will be built and I hope it will facilitate the relationship between the regions. The Russian-Chinese friendship has an organization. It's 60 years old this year. This sign is made from Russian jade, but designed with Chinese artists' input.

Countries have agreed upon the conjunction of their projects, EurAsEc and "One Belt, One Road". Transporting cargo from China to Europe will be possible via transit through the EAEC countries. The future of such cooperation will be discussed on the international forum in Beijing. Soon I will travel to Beijing, upon the Chairman's invitation. Please give him my best wishes. I would also like to give you Chairman Xi Jinping's most sincere regards and best wishes. We're expecting your visit to China. The "One Belt, One Road" forum will take place in Beijing on May 14-15.