Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, meets with Chairman of the United Russia party Dmitry Medvedev at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, December 12, 2024. Photo: Xinhua

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, met on Thursday with Chairman of the United Russia party Dmitry Medvedev.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 75 years ago, China and Russia have blazed a new path featuring mutual respect, harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation between major and neighboring countries, setting an example of new-type international relations as well as relations between major neighboring countries, Xi said.

He said China is willing to work with Russia to strengthen the synergy of development strategies, tap the intrinsic momentum of bilateral cooperation, and continuously bring benefits to the two countries and peoples.

China and Russia should strengthen communication and coordination within such multilateral frameworks as the United Nations (UN), the BRICS cooperation mechanism and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, and practice true multilateralism so as to make the international order more just and equitable and jointly safeguard global strategic stability and international fairness and justice, Xi said. 

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also met with Medvedev in Beijing on Thursday, the Xinhua News Agency reported. 

Wang, who is also chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said that the CPC is willing to work with United Russia to implement the consensus reached by the Chinese and Russian heads of state, strengthen institutional exchange and strategic communication, and promote the continuous development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.

Key moment

Medvedev's visit to China takes place amid many key changes around the world, including the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as the recent major change in the Middle East, including the situation in Syria. 

Wang Xiaoquan, an expert with the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday that "China and Russia are two permanent members of the UN Security Council, so their political mutual trust and strategic coordination at such a crucial period are significant for not only the two countries but also global security and world peace, as well as the development of international order." 

Zhang Hong, a research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday that Medvedev's trip aims to boost mutual trust between the two countries, promote inter-party cooperation, and also enhance coordination with China on global and regional hot spot issues.

Inter-party relations

Inter-party cooperation is also a key pillar of China-Russia political cooperation, and the United Russia party, as the biggest political party in Russia, is a strong guarantee of the country's internal political stability, Wang Xiaoquan noted. 

"In recent years, the United Russia party has attached greater importance to learning about the CPC's experience in governance, and also boosting communication and cooperation with the CPC, making inter-party ties a key bridge of the bilateral ties between the two countries," the expert noted. 

Cui Heng, a scholar from the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times on Thursday that "the two parties' exchange of ideas on governance will benefit their people as both are ruling parties with the authority and power to push reform and development."

On Thursday, Medvedev visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China, accompanied by Chen Zhou, deputy head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, RT reported.

Medvedev arrived in the Chinese capital late on Tuesday night. He was welcomed by Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, upon arrival at the city's airport, Sputnik News reported. 

On Wednesday, Medvedev laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, bowing in respect to the late heroes, RT reported. 

Recalling his first visit to China in 2000, Medvedev said in Beijing on Wednesday, "At that time, China had already started to grow and develop, but over the past 25 years, it has done something no one could even imagine. China has transformed into the most modern and economically prosperous country in the world, which is truly impressive," Medvedev said, Sputnik reported. He said "No one else in the world was able to do that," according to TASS.