Putin says Russia, China to remain strategic partners

MOSCOW. — Russia and China will remain strategic partners in the long term regardless of the outcome of the upcoming Russian presidential election, Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday.

“I am fully convinced that the development of relations with China enjoys a national consensus in Russia, and irrespectively of the outcome of the (Russian presidential) election campaign, Russia and China will remain strategic partners for an extensive historic perspective,” Putin told Xinhua during his annual press conference.

President Putin reiterated that China’s Belt and Road Initiative is perfectly compatible and can be incorporated with the development of the Eurasian Economic Union and Russia’s proposals on a broad partnership in Asia.

He highlighted the two countries’ major joint projects including projects in the Arctic, liquefied natural gas plants, high-speed railway, high-tech sector and space sector, especially the promising prospects of potential cooperation in developing the Northern Sea Route. — Xinhua.