Tatarstan President: Interparliamentary cooperation between Russia and China is an important tool of strategic partnership

On March 22, at the Korston Entertainment complex, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov had a meeting with participants of the 6th Russia-China Business Forum and Inter-party dialogue between the United Russia Party and Communist Party of China.

Chairman of the United Russia Party's Supreme Council Boris Gryzlov, Chairman of State Council of Tatarstan Farid Mukhametshin, Head of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Song Tao, Minister of Industry and Trade of the republic Albert Karimov, Aide to Tatarstan President Radik Gimatdinov, CEO of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Taliya Minnulina, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin and other officials took part in the meeting. 

Welcoming participants of the meeting, Minnikhanov noted that Russia-China relations have the character of comprehensive strategic partnership. The constant political dialogue is maintained at the highest level. The two countries have common positions on topical international and regional issues. The Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China marked its 15th anniversary in 2016. In addition, China is Russia's largest trading partner, he said.

"Developing ties between Russian regions and Chinese provinces is of great importance to us. We appreciate the current high level of relations with China and put much emphasis on expanding our all-round contacts aimed at strengthening friendship and cooperation between Russia and China," Minnikhanov said.

Minnikhanov reminded that the General Consulate of China was opened in Kazan recently. There is the Trade and Economic Representative Office of Tatarstan in Beijing. Agreements with a number of Chinese provinces, companies and universities were signed and are being implemented. The republic is actively involved in the work of the joint regional group “Volga-Yangtze”.

According to Minnikhanov, joint work is being carried out with Chinese companies in such fields as petrochemistry, machine building, automotive industry, IT development, agriculture, construction, health and tourism.

"The inter-parliamentary and inter-party cooperation is an important area. In 2015, Chairman of Tatarstan State Council Farid Mukhametshin visited China as part of the Russian delegation of the United Russia Party and participated in the forum between the two countries on the Silk Road project. We hope that events in Kazan will be another excellent example of the work in this area," Minnikhanov said.

In his turn Mister Sun Tao pointed out that today Russia-China relations are characterized by high dynamics of development. “Our task at the platform of inter-party dialogue is to contribute to the strengthening of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation”, he said.

He also noted that Tatarstan is well known in China as a region with significant economic, investment and research potential. Sun Tao appreciated the republic's contribution to the development of interregional cooperation with China.