ASTANA. July 3 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Astana on Wednesday.
The leaders have arrived in Kazakhstan to take part in a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit scheduled for Thursday.
Putin and Xi met previously in China a month and a half ago.
"We've rightfully acknowledged on numerous occasions that Russian-Chinese relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction are seeing the best period in their history. They're being built on principles of equitability, mutual benefit, and respect for each other's sovereignty. Our cooperation is not directed against anyone. We don't set up any blocs or alliances, but we simply act in the best interests of our peoples," Putin said at the start of the negotiations.
He mentioned growing trade between the two countries.
"We observed positive trends over the first half of this year," he said.
Russian-Chinese interaction in global affairs is among the key stabilizing factors in the international arena, he said.
"We're holding the BRICS presidency this year, it's also an organization set up at your and our initiative, and we look forward to the participation of our partners and your participation in its summit in Kazan in October this year," Putin said.
Russia will support China's presidency of the SCO in 2024-2025, he said.