CHINESE President Xi Jinping said today that the partnership between his country and Russia should drive the development and revitalisation of both nations.

This would be achieved through even higher-quality strategic co-ordination that already exists, Mr Xi said.

He was speaking during talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who is in Beijing on a state visit.

Mr Putin’s trip coincides with the 30th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic partnership of co-ordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Co-operation between China and Russia.

Mr Xi said: “China-Russia relations have come this far step by step precisely because we have kept deepening political mutual trust and strategic co-ordination with unyielding tenacity, expanded co-operation with a drive to always scale new heights and defended international justice and fairness and advanced the building of a community with a shared future for humanity with unflappable resolve.

“The international situation is fluid and turbulent and unilateralism and hegemonism are resurging, yet peace, development and co-operation remain the aspiration of the people and the prevailing trend of our times.”

Mr Putin praised his close ties with the Chinese leader and said their countries are partners in trade and international affairs.

“The driving force behind economic co-operation is Russian-Chinese collaboration in the energy sector,” he said. 

“Amid the crisis in the Middle East, Russia continues to maintain its role as a reliable supplier of resources, while China remains a responsible consumer of these resources.”

Mr Xi stressed the need of “complete cessation of hostilities” in the Middle East, according to Chinese media.

“An early end to the conflict will help reduce disruptions to energy supply stability, the smooth flow of industrial and supply chains and international trade order,” he insisted.

A aide to Mr Putin said earlier that Russia’s oil exports to China grew by 35 per cent in the first quarter of this year and that Russia is one of the biggest exporters of natural gas to China.

The Russian president also stressed the two countries’ co-operation in foreign policy as “one of the key stabilising factors on the international stage.

“In the current tense situation on the international stage, our close co-operation is particularly in demand,” he said.

The two leaders are scheduled to sign co-operation agreements during Mr Putin’s two-day visit, though the primary purpose of the visit is to reaffirm the close ties between Russia and China.