Russian PM in China for talks with Xi, business forum

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 May 2023 09:24

During a Russian-Chinese business forum in Shanghai, the Russian PM says the two nations may bring their trade in 2023 to $200 billion.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin (TASS)

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Tuesday that boosting Russian-Chinese cooperation will strengthen the economies of both countries.

Mishustin arrived in China late Monday for a visit in which he will meet with President Xi Jinping and ink a series of deals on infrastructure and trade, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"I am convinced that the deepening of Russian-Chinese interaction and the boosting of cooperation will also have a positive impact on strengthening the economies of both our countries," the Russian Prime Minister said at a Russian-Chinese business forum in Shanghai.

He said Russia and China may bring their trade in 2023 to $200 billion.

"I am convinced that this year we will fulfill the task set by the heads of our states, to bring mutual trade to $200 billion," Mishustin said.

The Russian Premier expressed his country's readiness for new projects with China in the sphere of renewable energy sources, adding that Russia will continue to supply China with hydrocarbons.

Mishustin pointed out that shipbuilding, the production of civilian drones, and the timber industry are promising areas of cooperation between the two countries.

In a related context, Mishustin considered that Russia and China need to work more actively to facilitate mutual access to agricultural markets and strengthen food security together.

Elsewhere, the Russian PM stressed that the expansion of air traffic and the active use of the potential of the Northern Sea Route is a priority area of Russia-China cooperation.

"Air traffic expansion is among other priorities. And, of course, more active use of the Northern Sea Route's potential - as the shortest route from Asia to Europe," he said at the forum in Shanghai.