Putin plays up China-Russia ties on Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s stop in Moscow

Li and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin witness the signing of more than a dozen agreements, including in investment cooperation

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang is in Russia on a four-day trip that also includes a visit to Belarus. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:56pm, 21 Aug 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Moscow on Wednesday, praising the close economic and trade ties between the two countries.

“Our trade relations are developing, developing successfully. They are growing, including thanks to the efforts of our Chinese friends,” Putin told Li, according to Russia’s presidential office.

“The attention that the governments of the two countries on both sides pay to the development of trade and economic ties is yielding results.”

The Russian president also sent greetings to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, saying he looked forward to Xi’s attendance at the Brics summit in Russia in October.

Russia is the first stop on Li’s four-day trip, which also includes a visit to Belarus.

Before meeting Putin, Li held talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, with the two witnessing the signing of more than a dozen agreements ranging from investment to transport cooperation, according to the Russian government.

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