Putin: Russia is ready to strengthen comprehensive cooperation with China

Russian President Vladimir Putin said late Wednesday that Russia and China share a wide range of areas of cooperation, and that Russia is committed to strengthening comprehensive cooperation and exchanges with China.

Putin made the remarks in response to a question from Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency, during a meeting in St. Petersburg with heads of major international news agencies.

Putin emphasized that Russia has established itself as a major economic partner of China, with bilateral trade reaching $240 billion in 2024. He noted that the two countries have launched a series of practical investment projects, and that investment volume is expected to grow further.

"This achievement stems not only from the growth of the Chinese economy in size and quality, but also from the enduring friendship between our two countries," he added.

Putin stated that financial cooperation is now a top priority in relations between the two countries, with a focus on ensuring smooth capital flows to maintain economic momentum and stimulate new trade breakthroughs.

He also stressed the huge potential for cooperation in high technology, aerospace and aircraft manufacturing.

Putin emphasized that China has achieved remarkable success in the field of artificial intelligence, achieving 10 times the efficiency but at a cost that is one-tenth that of competitors, which is "astonishing."

Putin noted that, as economic and cultural relations between the two countries deepen, interest in the Chinese language is growing throughout Russia. Currently, some 25,000 young Russians are enrolled in educational institutions that teach the Chinese language.

Putin stated that the years of cultural and people-to-people exchanges held periodically between the two sides contribute to deepening cooperation and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and also enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples.

He also shared a personal story, saying that his daughter began studying Chinese with the help of a teacher in the early 2000s, adding that his granddaughter now speaks Chinese fluently with her teacher from Beijing.

The media event was held on the sidelines of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.