Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia-China relations have reached one of the strongest levels in history. During a recent visit to China, he referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a “dear friend” and expressed his determination to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
During the visit, Putin also quoted a traditional Chinese proverb, referring to the friendly relations between the two countries, Russian state news agency TASS reported.
“Even if we don’t meet for a day, it feels like three autumns have passed,” he said.
The phrase is commonly used to describe deep friendship and long-awaited feelings. According to analysts, Putin is essentially conveying the message of close ties between Moscow and Beijing.
Putin said that over the past 25 years, Russia-China relations have been steadily strengthening and developing. At the same time, bilateral trade between the two countries has increased more than 30 times, indicating the widening of their economic cooperation.
According to international observers, Putin’s visit carries special significance in the current global political reality. Especially in the context of Russia’s tensions with the West and the US-China rivalry, the Moscow-Beijing rapprochement is sending a new geopolitical message.
An analysis by Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera said that while US President Donald Trump also recently visited China, the political significance and diplomatic context of Putin’s visit was different.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Russia and China. It is believed that the visit was organized to mark the occasion.
It is worth noting that President Vladimir Putin has visited China 25 times so far, which is a reflection of the long-term strategic relationship between the two countries.