Li Qiang Holds Talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin

On the morning of May 24, 2023, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council held talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin who is in China for an official visit, at the Great Hall of the People.

Li Qiang said that recent years have seen China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era operate at a high level under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin. Practical cooperation between the two sides are marked by strong resilience, great potential, and broad prospects. China is ready to work with Russia to fully leverage the role of the regular meeting mechanism between  Chinese Premier and Russian Prime Minister as the main channel, follow through on the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state, and work for steady and sustained development of bilateral practical cooperation.

Li Qiang pointed out that China is ready to work with Russia to optimize trade structure, further diversify trade categories, expand cooperation in such areas as agriculture, service trade, digital economy and green development, and enhance economic and trade cooperation in both quantity and quality. Efforts should be made to keep trade channels open and unimpeded, optimize port clearance processes, and improve customs clearance efficiency. The two sides should further tap into their potential for cooperation, and encourage greater participation of sub-national governments and enterprises in bilateral practical cooperation. The two sides also need to step up people-to-people and cultural exchanges, expand cooperation in such areas as education, science and technology, culture, tourism, sports and health, continue to ensure sound implementation of the follow-ups to the China-Russia Years of Sports Exchanges, and support efforts to send more students to study in each other's country.

Li Qiang stressed that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by President Xi Jinping. China is ready to work with Russia and other member states of the Eurasian Economic Union to foster greater synergy with the Union in implementing BRI cooperation, and promote trade liberalization and facilitation.

Noting that Russia and China enjoy a time-honored friendship and bilateral cooperation has yielded fruitful results, Mishustin said that Russia-China relations are of special and exemplary significance in international relations. Against the backdrop of the turbulent international circumstances, Russia is ready to work with China to follow through on the important common understandings between the two heads of state, further deepen cooperation in various fields, and effectively address new challenges facing both countries. He noted that the two sides should fully tap into their potential for cooperation, strengthen communication between the business communities, promote cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, energy, agriculture, science and technology, and infrastructure construction, and jointly advance the Belt and Road cooperation. Russia is ready to work with China to enhance people-to-people, cultural, and sub-national exchanges.

After the talks, the Premier and Prime Minister jointly witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.

Prior to the talks, Li Qiang held a welcome ceremony for Mishustin at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People.

He Lifeng and Qin Gang, among others, were present at the above events.

On the afternoon of the same day, Mishustin laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes.