Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the 4th discussed global affairs, including the expiration of a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and Russia, and affirmed their willingness to cooperate. It was the first virtual summit of the year between the two leaders, held amid a turbulent international situation as the risk of military conflict between the United States and Iran grows.
According to Reuters, AFP and other foreign media, Xi held a virtual summit with Putin that day at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Citing Ipchun, the first day of spring, Xi said he hoped to draw a new blueprint for bilateral relations on a day full of beautiful meaning. Putin replied that, just as all things come back to life, he hoped relations between the two countries would flourish.
Xi told Putin that relations between China and Russia are moving in the right direction and said there is a need to continue to deepen strategic communication. Putin said that, as global upheaval intensifies, the diplomatic policy alignment between the two countries remains an important stabilizing factor, calling the partnership exemplary.
Putin also mentioned bilateral trade in energy and technology. He said, "Russia remains the largest energy supplier to China, the world's No. 2 economic power," and added, "We are actively discussing peaceful nuclear energy and pursuing high-tech projects, including space exploration."
He went on to say that they are ready to work closely together on global issues not only bilaterally but also within multilateral groups such as the United Nations, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Xi also emphasized that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. Putin said he would actively support the informal Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting to be held this year in Shenzhen, China.