Russia’s Vladimir Putin points to US$20 billion worth of deals as evidence of close ties with China

Relationship between two countries based on concrete policies not just words, president says

Chinese leader Xi Jinping says he wants to create a better business environment between the two sides

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Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin say they want to increase cooperation between China and Russia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 3:00pm, 8 Jun 2019Updated: 11:06pm, 10 Dec 2019

Russia’s alliance with China is not just for show and US$20 billion worth of deals signed between the two nations is proof of that, Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

“As far as our relations with China are concerned, these are not words, these are concrete policies,” the Russian president said at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in response to a question on whether ties between Moscow and Beijing were as close as they had been presented.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Russia, representatives from the two countries have signed deals in the fields of nuclear power, natural gas, cars, advanced technology, e-commerce and 5G communications amid a shared and growing rivalry with the United States.

In an earlier joint press statement the two leaders spoke of their desire to deepen their “unprecedented partnership” for “mutual advantage”.

During Xi’s visit to Russia, representatives from the two countries signed deals in several fields, including cars. Photo: EPA-EFE

In his speech to the forum, which according to Russia media was attended by 17,000 people, Xi said the two sides should continue to cooperate for economic benefit.