Premier Li Keqiang called for more pragmatic cooperation with Russia during the 22nd China-Russia Prime Ministers’ Regular Meeting in Beijing on Nov 1.

Vice-Premiers Zhang Gaoli and Wang Yang also attended the meeting.

Premier Li said that China and Russia are each other’s largest neighbors, and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides has showed sound development. Also, with the coordinated efforts of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, the relationship between China and Russia continuously bear new fruits, he added.

“At the recent 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the new CPC central leadership with Xi at its core was selected and a clear development goal of China was defined. Development is the foundation and key to solve all the problems of China, the largest developing country in the world,” the Premier said.

“Both China and Russia regard each other’s development as opportunities and a broader prospect is seen in the connection of development strategy and the deepening of all-round cooperation between the two sides, which also contribute to the peace and development of the two countries, the regions and the world,” he added.

According to the Premier, the coordination mechanism between both sides has promoted the upgraded, stable, and growing bilateral cooperation. He hoped that the two sides should explore cooperation potential from a strategic and long-term perspective.

Both sides should continue to expand investment, deepen opening-up, optimize trade structure, and strengthen regional cooperation, he said.

Medvedev extended his congratulation to the successful conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and expressed his hope that China could achieve its development goal in near future.

He spoke highly of bilateral relationship which presents great performance with frequent high-level exchanges, efficient cooperative mechanism, smooth implementation of major projects and rapid growth in trade and investment.

With momentum gained in Sino-Russian pragmatic cooperation, he also said Russia is willing to further promote the alignment of development strategies, tap in the potential of bilateral cooperation in traditional sectors such as energy, infrastructural construction, industrial capacity, aerospace, agriculture and Far East regional cooperation, and expand cooperation in emerging sectors such as e-commerce, digital economy, small and medium enterprises and financial investment.

He said that Russia will further enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges and forge ahead with a comprehensive strategic partnership with China.

Before the meeting, Premier Li held a welcome ceremony for Medvedev. Vice-Premiers Zhang Gaoli, Wang Yang and Liu Yandong, and Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Chen Yuan also attended the ceremony.

After the meeting, Premier Li and his Russian counterpart signed a joint communiqué on the 22nd China-Russia Prime Ministers’ Regular Meeting and witnessed the signing of over 20 agreements on bilateral cooperation in sectors including investment, energy, regional cooperation, people-to-people exchange, agriculture, customs, quality checks, aerospace and finance.