Moscow-Beijing: politics supported by economics

By Vestnik Kavkaza

Yesterday Russia's Federation Council ratified the intergovernmental treaty on export of Russian gas to China through the eastern route. Gazprom and CNPC are responsible for the implementation of the treaty. They signed a 30-year contract on gas exports to China through the eastern route a year ago. A gas pipeline with a capacity of 5 billion cubic meters is planned to be put into operation in late 2018, increasing its capacity to 38 billion cubic meters in the future.

Li Hui, the incumbent Chinese ambassador to Russia, thinks that Russian-Chinese relations are undergoing a period of rising fortunes: “Trade and economic cooperation is developing very dynamically. Trade turnover between China and Russia reached $95 billion last year. Of course there is a great potential for development. Our leaders have defined certain goals for development of our cooperation, so that our trade turnover would reach $100 billion this year. We should extend spheres of cooperation today. We should use the potential which hasn’t been used by us previously.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping will come to the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Victory over fascism in Moscow: “This year is the 70th anniversary of the Victory in World War II against fascism and the 70th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese nation in the war against the Japanese occupants. As the victorious countries on the Asian front and the European front, China and Russia organize solemn events to preserve the results of the Victory in World War II and protect international justice. The leaders of China and Russia will participate in the most important solemn events of this year. These are the May 9th Victory Day Parade on Red Square in Moscow and the September 3rd Victory Parade in Beijing.

It is convincing confirmation of the high level and original character of Russian-Chinese relations, universal and strategic cooperation and partnership. It will demonstrate our firm resolution and the complete assurance of China and Russia, permanent members of the UN SC and victorious countries, in peace, stability and development,” Li Hui said.