Interview to the Xinhua News Agency of China
In the run-up to his visit to the People’s
Republic of China, Vladimir Putin gave an interview to Chinese
news agency Xinhua. The interview was recorded on June 17
on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International
Economic Forum.
June 23, 2016
10:00
St Petersburg
1 of 5
Interview with Xinhua news agency. With Xinhua General
Director Cai Mingzhao.
President of Xinhua News Agency Cai Mingzhao: Mr. President,
I am greatly honored and pleased to have this opportunity
to interview you in your hometown prior to your visit
to the People's Republic of China.
First of all, I would like to express on behalf
of the Xinhua Agency our sincere respect.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Thank you.
Cai Mingzhao: With your – and President
of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping's active
involvement and support Chinese-Russian relations have already reached
an extremely high level.
I would like to ask you some questions, if I may.
Last year, you met with the Chinese President five times. With your
engagement and assistance, as well as through the efforts
made by you and Mr. Xi Jinping Chinese-Russian collaboration has
been constantly deepening and enhancing.
In your opinion, what areas of cooperation between Beijing
and Moscow would you describe as priority ones
at the moment? What areas are to be developed in the future?
And what do you think of the expectations related to your
upcoming visit to China?
During
an interview with Xinhua news agency.
Vladimir Putin: In fact, you already defined our relations
when you said they were at a very high level.
I would now draw the attention of our readers to two
dates. 25 years ago, we announced the launch of new relations,
those of strategic partnership, and 15 years ago, we signed
a friendship and cooperation treaty. Since then, hard work has been
done resulting in an unprecedented level of mutual trust
on which our collaboration is built.
As we had never reached this level of relations before, our
experts have had trouble defining today's general state of our common
affairs. It turns out that to say we have strategic cooperation is not
enough anymore. This is why we have started talking about a comprehensive
partnership and strategic collaboration. ”Comprehensive“ means that we
work virtually on all major avenues; ”strategic“ means that we attach
enormous inter‑governmental importance to this work.
You mentioned my interaction with the President
of the People's Republic of China. This is very true.
Of course, our joint work, work at this level gives positive momentum
to our relations. At our level, we discuss the key strategic
aspects of our cooperation.
Mr. Xi Jinping devotes much of his personal attention
to the development of Russia-China relations. He is a very
good friend and a reliable partner.
25 years ago, we announced the launch of new relations,
those of strategic partnership, and 15 years ago, we signed
a friendship and cooperation treaty. Since then, hard work has been
done resulting in an unprecedented level of mutual trust.
Nonetheless, our efforts alone would have been insufficient
for the successful development of ties between Russia
and China. Naturally, this called for the establishment
of a mechanism to ensure cooperation between
the governments of the Russian Federation
and the People's Republic of China. The heads
of Governments of both states hold regular meetings. Over two dozen
subcommittees – I believe there are 26
of them – and intergovernmental commissions have been
created and are operating very effectively and intensely. It is not
always possible to agree on complex matters from the outset, but
we address all the issues, however complex they might be, with the common
goal in mind of fostering our
cooperation — and we always find solutions.
The existing problems in the world economy have also had
an impact on our collaboration, leading to a certain drop
in the total trade turnover, but we are convinced that it is
a temporary phenomenon resulting from the current situation with
certain goods and the exchange rate.
Nevertheless, we manage to settle the key issues. We manage
to take major steps to improve our trade structure.
I am not sure about the exact figures, here we should consult
the relevant reports, last year has seen a considerable increase,
of 44 per cent, I believe, in our export of engineering
products to the People's Republic of China. That is highly important
for us. We have been discussing this issue with our Chinese partners
for years. I would like to thank our friends for our
success in establishing such collaboration in this essential area
and achieving the set goals. Those were our common goals. We agreed
upon them, and we are now moving in the right direction.
In this regard, one of the most important directions is
of course the diversification of our ties, making them more
sophisticated, paying more attention to the high-tech area
of our collaboration.
We also work together on space programs, in the sphere
of aviation, on the construction of a wide-body
aircraft and a heavy helicopter. We collaborate on environmental
issues, and carry on with large-scale energy projects, including in nuclear
energy.
Cai Mingzhao: The Russian side has very good competitive
advantages in this area.
During an interview with Xinhua news agency. With Xinhua General Director Cai Mingzhao.
Vladimir Putin: That is true. Our Rosatom has a large stock
of orders. The two units of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant
have been operating for 8 years now, and have proved reliable.
We are currently working on another two units,
and I think more could be done. We should enhance our cooperation not
only in terms of increasing the number of nuclear power
plants in China but also by expanding our scientific
and technical collaboration in this area.
China is increasing its presence in our energy market, it is
a major shareholder in one of our significant projects, Yamal
LNG, and it has acquired 10 percent of the shares
in one of our leading chemical holdings, SIBUR. We welcome these
Chinese investments not only as a means of placing financial
resources but also as a means of further developing our
partnership.
Intensive work is underway on the famous Moscow-Kazan
High-Speed Rail Line Project. Some railway sections will allow
for a train speed of up to 400 kilometers per hour. We
pay considerable attention to these prospects; this can be only
the beginning of our large-scale infrastructure cooperation.
Our interaction in the humanitarian field is no less
important. Thus, we have held cross‑years of China in Russia
and Russia in China, the Year of Youth Exchange,
the Year of the Russian Language and, accordingly, the Year
of the Chinese Language, the Year of Tourist Exchange, etc.
Some events were initiated by the Russian side,
and others – by the Chinese side; but they all have
been very successful and will undoubtedly contribute to building
an atmosphere of confidence between our peoples. These projects are
as important as, for example, those in the energy sphere,
such as the huge Power of Siberia project to supply up
to 38 billion cubic meters of Russian gas per annum via
a newly established eastern route from Russia to China. Add
to this diplomatic, military, and military-technical cooperation.
One of the most important directions is of course
the diversification of our ties, making them more sophisticated,
paying more attention to the high-tech area of our
collaboration.
We usually discuss all these issues at our joint meetings.
As you see, the agenda is extensive if not huge. Therefore, I am
looking forward to substantive negotiations, intensive ones. They are
always held in an atmosphere of amity and mutual trust.
Cai Mingzhao: You have just mentioned important projects
in the economic area between Russia and China. We are greatly
inspired by these big projects. Cooperation between Russia and China
has an immense potential. You often stress the need to converge
integration processes, in particular regarding the Eurasian Economic
Union and China's Silk Road project. Our business circles also pay
attention to this issue.
What concrete steps will be taken to develop this cooperation?
And how will this cooperation help improve the Russian-Chinese trade
and economic interaction?
Vladimir Putin: You have touched on a very interesting
and complex subject. As we know, President Xi Jinping has launched
an initiative to revitalize the very idea of the Great
Silk Road. We believe it is a very timely, interesting and promising
initiative aimed at increasing cooperation with all countries
of the world, but primarily with neighbours, because wherever
the road goes, it first runs through neighbouring territories.
We are engaged in negotiations on two tracks: China-Russia,
bilaterally, and China-Eurasian Economic Union. A short while ago,
at a meeting in Astana with my counterparts from
the Eurasian Economic Union, which currently comprises five countries, we
discussed this possibility and came out in favour of enhancing
cooperation with China, drawing on President Xi Jinping's idea
to develop the Silk Road Economic Belt.
China is increasing its presence in our energy market. We welcome
Chinese investments not only as a means of placing financial
resources but also as a means of further developing our
partnership.
To put it bluntly, these issues clearly call for expert examination.
We certainly care about the interests of our national producers.
However, there is a common understanding that the general development
path in a global economy, as well as in our
cooperation with China, should involve a gradual removal of all barriers
to open collaboration. In the initial stages, it could imply
the establishment of a free-trade zone.
Being realists, we understand that at the beginning there will
inevitably be faults and exceptions. Still, we should outline the way
forward. While progressing towards this goal, we will pave the way
for what I have called today “cooperation in Eurasia”, since
an increasing number of countries in the region show
interest in such collaboration. At the same time, we will seek
to avoid shaping exclusive trade and economic blocs.
Cai Mingzhao: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization will
shortly hold its regular summit in Tashkent. Russia and China
actively cooperate within various international organizations, primarily within
the SCO, which was established 15 years ago. The SCO is
an essential element in ensuring stability and security
in the region.
What is your vision of the further development of this
Organization? What role, in your opinion, will it play
in the future, both regionally and globally?
Vladimir Putin: This Organization, when it was first created, set
itself quite modest goals, which I would say were important but
at the same time practical. These included the settlement
of various issues of cross-border cooperation, complex as well
as simple ones. As we know, such border issues may remain
in limbo for decades if goodwill is lacking, and are promptly
settled when there is enough goodwill. This most likely depends
on the mood, on the philosophy adopted by a state
in its international relations.
The general development path in a global economy,
as well as in our cooperation with China, should involve
a gradual removal of all barriers to open collaboration.
It is thanks to this very goodwill that Russia and China,
as well as other members of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization, have fulfilled the tasks they set themselves in this
area. We came to understand that such a mechanism, along with its
valuable outputs and the level achieved in relations between our
countries, should not be wasted. Therefore, we actually began using
the established mechanism to address other issues, first of all
developing our cooperation in various areas, such as political
cooperation and cooperation in infrastructure development. We also
launched discussions on security, on combatting the drug threat
and other issues.
I would not say that we have made astonishing progress
or carried out any high-profile activities; yet the Organization has
become highly demanded and attractive in the region,
and many countries of the world have expressed their willingness
to join it.
At the summit held last year in Ufa, Russia, we decided
to admit to the SCO another two states, India and Pakistan.
We are to formalize this decision at the Tashkent meeting. We
will also consider the intentions of other countries to join our
work.
During
an interview with Xinhua news agency. With Xinhua General Director Cai Mingzhao.
Indeed, as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization expands its
areas of operation and its membership through the participation
of the powerful countries I have just mentioned, it turns into
a very powerful international association that commands respect
and is relevant both in the region and worldwide.
The international environment is complicated and multifaceted,
and issues are not resolved by the mere fact that countries with
different approaches to and views on various international
challenges join our Organization. However, as we expect, their accession
does create conditions for the issues to be resolved.
Cai Mingzhao: Mr. President, I know that your schedule is
tight and your time is of high value. I have a rare
opportunity to interview you personally. May I ask you one more
question?
Vladimir Putin: Fine.
Cai Mingzhao: Crises abound in the modern world. We face
economic downturns, serious terrorism-related problems, and challenges
caused by climate change. Russia and China are responsible major
powers addressing international issues. What other efforts in your view
could our countries make in order to safeguard peace and reform
global governance?
Vladimir Putin: You know, today the very fact that China
and Russia collaborate in international affairs contributes
to the stability of world affairs.
Let me remind you of the statement made
by the President of the People's Republic
of China at the 70th anniversary
of the United Nations. Think back and recall it. That statement
called for resolving all contentious issues only by peaceful means
on the basis of international law. Furthermore,
the President was among the few who declared that they were ready
to help those in need and even specified those proposals. It is
such approaches that unite us in international affairs, not merely
the geographic proximity of our countries.
The very fact that China and Russia collaborate
in international affairs contributes to the stability
of world affairs.
Apart from our joint work in the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization, we cooperate within BRICS, which in fact was jointly
established by us, and we actively collaborate at the UN.
I would take the liberty to recall that it was this
country, the Soviet Union at that time, which made every effort
to give the People's Republic of China its deserved place among
the permanent members of the Security Council. We have always
believed that this is the place for the People's Republic
of China. Today, we are particularly pleased that this has happened, since
our views on international affairs, as diplomats say, are either very
similar or coincide. At the same time, this similarity
or coincidence is backed by concrete work, including efforts
on the technical level. We are in constant contact and we
consult on global and regional issues. Since we consider each other close
allies, naturally, we always listen to our partners and take into
account each other’s interests.
I am certain that our joint work during my visit
to the People's Republic of China will proceed
in the same way.
Cai Mingzhao: Mr President, thank you very much. We also look
forward to your visit to China. We would like to wish you every
success during your upcoming visit to the PRC.
I would also like to inform you that the Xinhua Chinese
News Agency and the TASS News Agency are to sign a new
agreement on cooperation during your visit to China.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you for your assistance in this
area since media support is just as important as the substantive
work done by diplomats in the modern world, as they say.
Thank you very much.
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