Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping hold online talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held video talks, RIA Novosti reported.

The conversation lasted an hour and a half. In the open part of the talks, the leaders of the two countries discussed the dialogue between the two countries and the issues on the international agenda.

“I am glad for the opportunity to contact you directly. I consider our relations a real example of interstate relations in the 21st century,” Putin said at the beginning of the meeting.

The Chinese leader, from his part, thanked the Russian president for resisting Moscow’s attempts to drive a wedge between Beijing, as he noted the joint projects and the growth of trade.

“In January-November of this year, the trade turnover increased by 31%, reaching $123 billion. The record indicators of 2019 have already been exceeded. In the near future, as we agreed, we will overcome the threshold of $200 billion,” Putin said.

In addition, he called China an international center for the production of Russian vaccines․ More than 150 million doses of vaccine have been contracted with six Chinese manufacturers. The parties also expressed hope for a joint meeting at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February.

After the opening speeches, the negotiations continued behind closed doors.

The previous summit of the leaders of the two countries on June 28 was held online again.