'Russia, China ready to cooperate on core interests'

Russia and China are actively expanding their contacts in politics, the economy and defence, while broadening humanitarian exchanges and encouraging person-to-person interaction, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday in a video message delivered ahead of his state visit to China. A Xinhua news agency report said Putin noted that "regular mutual visits and Russia-China top-level talks are an important and integral part of our joint efforts to promote the entire range of relations between our two countries and unlock their truly limitless potential." "Today, Russia-China relations have reached a truly unprecedented level," Putin said. The countries are ready to cooperate on mutually beneficial and equality-based principles and "to support each other on issues affecting the core interests of the two countries, including the protection of sovereignty and national unity", he added. Putin said he deeply appreciates President Xi Jinping's commitment to long-term cooperation with Russia, adding that both sides seek peace and universal prosperity. The Russian leader said the close strategic relationship between Russia and China, plays a major stabilising role globally. He also welcomed the introduction of a mutual visa-free policy between Russia and China. The Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Presidents Xi and Putin will exchange views on bilateral ties, cooperation in various fields, as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest. Putin will begin a two-day state visit on Tuesday at Xi's invitation. This will be President Putin's 25th visit to China. (Agencies) Edited by Cecil Wong