China, Russia reach broad consensus on boosting strategic partnership

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Friday, saying the two sides’ ties have developed rapidly in recent years.
 
Yang Jiechi noted that political mutual trust has also been increasing and pragmatic cooperation in all fields has yielded fruits.
 
The minister, calling the two countries as strategic partners, added that Beijing and Moscow have maintained close communication and coordination on international and regional affairs.
 
Bilateral ties have entered a new stage with great prospects, he said.
 
"Through joint efforts, the upcoming visit is expected to add new impetus to the further development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination," the top Chinese diplomat added, referring to an upcoming visit to Russia by Chinese President at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
 
China’s new leader Xi Jinping plans to travel to Moscow in his first foreign visit since being elected president late last year.
 
Lavrov, for his part, pointed out that the Russia-China strategic partnership has been growing constantly.
 
The Russian minister also noted that his country will work with China to arrange a series of high-level bilateral events this year, and further strengthen bilateral coordination and strategic cooperation within the frameworks of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Group of 20 (G20).