Trade between Moscow and Beijing is on the rise and could reach a record $200 billion this year. This is reported by TASS, referring to the statement of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, made at the Russian-Chinese business forum in Shanghai.
Mishustin claims that trade growth between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China could reach a record $200 billion this year. He noted that the task set by the heads of the two states would be fulfilled.
“I am sure that this year we will fulfill the task set by the heads of state – Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Xi Jinping – to bring mutual trade to $200 billion,” he said, recalling that in the first quarter, the growth in trade grew by almost a quarter – to about $52 billion.
The Russian Prime Minister claims that Moscow values the centuries-old history of relations with Beijing and will develop them. He emphasizes that China has been the main trading partner of the Russian Federation for more than ten years.
“China has been Russia’s main trading partner for over a decade. And in the first three months of this year, our positions in a similar Chinese list have also changed, rising from tenth to seventh place,” he said.
The politician claims that such growth is accompanied by important qualitative changes. One of them is to reduce dependence on the dollar and other Western currencies.
“If in 2021 only about a quarter of settlements between our countries were carried out in national currencies, then last year it was already almost two thirds. We will continue to increase the independence of bilateral financial cooperation and thereby strengthen economic sovereignty,” the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation said.
Mishustin paid special attention to the Russian-Chinese summit held in March, which became an important event, which attracted the attention of the whole world. He emphasizes that this event made it possible to build a fair system of a multipolar world.
“The talks in the Kremlin gave a new impetus to building a fair multipolar system of international relations. The leaders of our countries – Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Xi Jinping – made joint statements that define the strategic priorities of interaction in the medium term,” he said.
The outcome of the summit was the setting of tasks to increase the scale of bilateral trade, improve logistics connectivity, increase the level of financial and industrial cooperation, strengthen energy partnerships and, of course, expand cooperation in the field of technology and innovation.
“The indicated landmarks will allow finding growth points for entrepreneurs in Russia and China. And this is a clear signal to the entire business community,” the politician noted.
The Prime Minister also addressed the participants of the event and said that he highly appreciates the opportunities for them to show initiative, entrepreneurial spirit and organizational skills. He emphasizes that Russia is ready to provide support to representatives of the business community.
“Russia is ready to provide practical support to representatives of the business community who will respond to this call. Today, our investment portfolio includes about 80 major projects with a total investment of over $165 billion,” he added.
Mishustin drew the attention of the participants to the fact that industrial and technological cooperation is of particular importance. He clarified that in this it is necessary to act actively and jointly in order to achieve great success.
“Now it is important to combine resources and competencies to create competitive and affordable products needed by both industries and consumers. If we act actively and together, we will be able to achieve much greater success in this area,” the Prime Minister specified.
The politician said that such conditions open up opportunities for expanding the presence of Chinese companies in Russia.
“In the new conditions, additional prerequisites are opening up not only for expanding the presence of Chinese companies in Russia, but also for launching production facilities in China, including in free economic and special industrial zones. They have a developed logistics infrastructure and a wide range of preferential treatment,” Mishustin summed up.
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