Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of strengthening strategic cooperation with Russia, calling for continued coordination between the two countries in international and regional affairs. This came during a meeting held by the Chinese president with Secretary of the Russian Security Council of Russia Sergei Shoigu. The meeting took place in the Chinese capital Beijing.

According to Qatar News Agency, Xi noted that he had communicated with Russian President Vladimir Putin twice this year, where they made comprehensive plans to develop Chinese-Russian relations, and had in-depth exchanges on a series of major international and regional issues. He said that the two countries will implement a series of important programs that will boost ties, starting later this year.

For his part, the Russian official stressed that relations between Moscow and Beijing have reached an unprecedented level and do not target any third party. Shoigu said that Russia highly appreciates China’s continued efforts to promote a peaceful solution to the Ukrainian crisis. The visit of the Russian Security Council Secretary to China is the second in the past three months.