The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Yang Jiechi, paid an official visit to the Russian Federation on April 26th through the 27th. During his stay he was received by President Dmitry Medvedev and Sergey Mironov, Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly.
Talks between Sergey Lavrov and Yang Jiechi took place on April 27. The ministers examined topical issues in Russian-Chinese relations in detail. A schedule of current-year Russian-Chinese political contacts was verified. An important theme of the talks was preparations for an upcoming official visit to Russia in mid-June of PRC President Hu Jintao and June’s SCO summit in Yekaterinburg. Lavrov and Yang especially dwelt on the events to mark a significant jubilee date in bilateral relations this year – the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations – and those of the Year of Russian Language to be held in China in 2009.
A number of pressing international and regional problems were also discussed, including overcoming the global financial and economic crisis; increasing collaboration in the SCO and BRIC formats; the situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula nuclear problem and Iran’s nuclear program; conditions in Afghanistan, and Middle East settlement.
The talks passed in the candid and friendly atmosphere characteristic for bilateral cooperation. The discussions convincingly attest to the maturity of the relations of strategic collaboration and partnership between Russia and China and the intention of the two countries to confidently advance along the road of comprehensive promotion of cooperation and continue strategic collaboration in international and regional affairs.
Travellers between Russia and China do still need visas to visit either country for work or tourism. United Kingdom nationals also need visas to travel two both countries. Partner visa service companies Chinavisa 24 and Russiavisa 24 handle visa procurement to each country. Find them at: http://www.russiavisa24.co.uk and http://www.chinavisa24.co.uk
