ISLAMABAD / ISTANBUL 

China’s President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said "consolidating" ties with Russia was a “strategic choice” made by the two sides.

Xi made the remarks in talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Beijing, according to China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.

The meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People, where the two leaders discussed bilateral issues, including trade and the economy.

“It is our shared strategic choice to uphold, consolidate and develop China-Russia relations,” Xi told the visiting Russian premier.

“The two sides must maintain close coordination, upgrade our cooperation, and make new and greater contributions to world peace and development,” said Xi.

The Russian prime minister arrived in China on Monday for the 30th regular meeting of the China-Russia heads of government alongside Chinese Premier Li Qiang, in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, the capital of eastern Zhejiang province.

​​​'Important to continue creating favorable conditions'

According to a statement by the Russian side, Mishustin discussed with Xi mutual investments, joint projects, and plans to deepen economic and humanitarian cooperation.

“It’s important to continue creating favorable conditions for attracting mutual investment and supporting our joint projects,” Mishustin said, noting that both governments are working to implement decisions made at the highest level.

Mishustin also praised humanitarian and cultural ties between the two nations, saying they are “based on good traditions of friendship and mutual sympathy.”

He expressed confidence that upcoming education-focused cultural events would be “rich and interesting.”

The Russian premier also conveyed greetings from President Vladimir Putin to Xi.

“Since the beginning of the year, despite the turbulent situation, Chinese-Russian relations have been steadily advancing with an eye toward high-level and high-quality development,” Xi said, emphasizing that the “high level of strategic mutual trust” between leaders ensures the stable growth of the partnership.

He voiced hope that both sides would “maintain close coordination” to implement agreements reached with President Putin and “deepen bilateral cooperation to make greater contributions not only to our countries but also to global development.”

On Monday, Mishustin said that cooperation between Moscow and Beijing is strengthening despite turbulence in global politics and the global economy.

Li, for his part, said Beijing is willing to work with Moscow to enhance strategic communication, increase cooperation in all fields and safeguard common development and security interests in an improved manner.

During Russian President Putin’s visit to Beijing in May last year, he and Xi signed a joint statement to further deepen their strategic partnership as the two nations marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Bilateral trade volume between Russia and China has also reached a new milestone, hitting $240 billion.