Politician · person

Li Keqiang on Vladimir Putin

Strategic economic partner (strong)

TL;DR

Li Keqiang consistently supported strengthening strategic and economic ties with Vladimir Putin's Russia for mutual benefit and global stability.

Key Points

He met with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on September 18, 2019, to boost economic ties.
He spoke positively of the current China-Russia relations when meeting Putin on June 25, 2016.
He sought to better align the Belt and Road Initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union during his 2019 visit.

Summary

Li Keqiang, in his capacity as Premier, consistently demonstrated a position focused on deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination with Russia under President Vladimir Putin. During meetings, such as one in September 2019, he emphasized working together to consolidate friendship, deepen cooperation, and strengthen exchanges across various fields, including trade, energy, and technology. This engagement was framed as being not only in the interests of the two nations but also conducive to regional and global peace and stability, specifically by safeguarding the international system centered on the United Nations and the multilateral trading system based on World Trade Organization rules.

The Premier's position involved practical steps to enhance bilateral ties, particularly in economics. He sought to better align China's Belt and Road Initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union to increase the scale and quality of trade, expressing readiness to expand market access and investment opportunities for Russian enterprises. Meetings with the Russian President and Prime Minister often resulted in new agreements aimed at achieving tangible results for the two peoples, reflecting a consistent, pragmatic approach to the relationship despite global uncertainties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Li Keqiang say about his relationship with Putin?

Li Keqiang consistently highlighted the importance of the relationship by meeting with President Putin on multiple occasions, such as in 2016 and 2019. He emphasized working to deepen political mutual trust and elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination to new stages. The Premier framed their interactions as key to bilateral development and global stability.

What was Li Keqiang's focus when meeting Putin?

The Premier's focus during meetings with the Russian President was largely on expanding practical economic cooperation. Li Keqiang expressed readiness to better synergize major initiatives, increase the scale of trade, and broaden investment and market access for enterprises from both countries. He consistently linked bilateral stability to global peace and development.

Did Li Keqiang mention multilateralism when discussing Putin?

Yes, Li Keqiang stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation within multilateral frameworks like the UN and WTO rules. He explicitly stated that the two countries should work together to maintain the international system centered on the UN and the system of free trade. This shared vision on global governance was a key point in discussions with the Russian President.