Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that the relationship between China and Russia is built on the basis of mutual respect.
Putin made the comments while responding to a question from China Global Television Network (CGTN) during his meeting with representatives of leading media outlets from BRICS countries in Moscow. CGTN was the outlet representing Chinese media.
The Russian president said the rapid growth of bilateral trade between China and Russia in recent years has been built on equality and mutual benefit, adding that the two countries are committed to listening to and safeguarding each other's interests.
"Russia-China cooperation on the international stage is undoubtedly one of the key factors for global strategic stability. In my view, this is an obvious fact that many people agree on. Our relationship with China is based on equality, and we take each other's interests into account. This is not just an empty cliche; this is a fact. We listen to each other," said Putin.
He emphasized that the current trade balance structure between China and Russia is the result of joint efforts by both nations.
In response to a question about the future of China-Russia relations, the Russian President said the two countries will continue to strengthen cooperation in areas such as energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and science and technology. He added that Russia will enhance its energy exports to China, including oil and natural gas, and work to expand agricultural cooperation.
The 16th BRICS Summit is scheduled to take place in the Russian city of Kazan from October 22 to 24. As the host of the event, Putin expounded on key details of the summit.
"This year, we have been working flat-out to gradually and smoothly integrate new members into the BRICS cooperation mechanism. We plan to hold 250 events across various regions, with 200 already completed. Our acceptance of new members is not by chance. They are countries we are already very familiar with and we have been cooperating with them in various fields for a long time," he said.
Putin's meeting with the media on Friday came just days ahead of the BRICS Summit, the first since the group's expansion from five members to 10.
On January 1, 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates officially became members of BRICS, joining the existing members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
The Russian president emphasized that the establishment of BRICS has never been aimed at targeting any other parties but is instead based on shared values, development perspectives, and the principle of mutual benefit.
Regarding greater BRICS cooperation, Putin highlighted that each of these countries has a unique culture, history, and comparative advantages in the global division of labor, making interaction with them beneficial and of interest to all BRICS participants.
When new players, participants, and members join any international organization, they bring their own contributions to the table, he added.
Putin said the inclusion of new member countries in a shared framework provides a platform for all sides to exchange ideas and expand cooperation, not only in the economy but also in areas such as culture, film, youth, and people-to-people exchanges, demonstrating the growing appeal of the BRICS mechanism.
"Practice has proven that we are on the right path. We have taken the correct step in expanding our membership, and I firmly believe this will increase other countries' interest in the BRICS mechanism, enhancing its influence and authority worldwide. We have already seen evidence of this. I have mentioned more than once that, so far, 30 countries have expressed a desire to engage in varying degrees of cooperation with BRICS member states and participate in BRICS activities in one way or another. This is a clear outcome of BRICS expansion,” he said.
Regarding the U.S. strategy of containing China, Putin stated that the U.S. cannot halt China's development, as economic growth is an objective process influenced by various factors.
Putin added that the U.S.'s efforts to contain China's development negatively impact the U.S. economy as well, warning that if this trend continues, it could render various U.S. sectors completely uncompetitive.
During Friday's meeting, he also addressed questions from journalists on other topics, including the Ukraine crisis and the global financial system.
China-Russia ties built on mutual respect: Putin
