Russian, Chinese Leaders to Discuss Economic Cooperation

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are set to discuss an array of issues ranging from economic cooperation to global challenges on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BRICS summits in the Russian city of Ufa.

Russia's Republic of Bashkortostan will host the SCO and BRICS summits on July 8-10. Russia chairs both forums this year.

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin "will surely discuss bilateral relations. The economic cooperation between the two countries, as well as specific projects will be on the agenda. In addition, they will exchange opinions on major global and regional issues," Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Gopin said at a press briefing.

The diplomat emphasized that "very good working relations and friendship" between the two leaders "ensure the high level and quality of the bilateral relations."

Chen Gopin reiterated that Chinese-Russian relations are not an alliance targeting third countries but represent a "new form of relation between global powers."

The Chinese deputy foreign minister also added that Russia and China, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, play a major part in ensuring global peace and security.

In June, Putin said China was Russia's largest trade partner and projected an increase in bilateral trade to $200 billion in the near future.

BRICS is an informal interstate association of Russia, Brazil, India, China and South Africa, accounting for 14.6 percent of the global GDP.

Summer evening in the capital of Bashkortostan/ Жаркий летний вечер в Башкирской столице #Ufa #BRICS #БРИКС pic.twitter.com/9EVcXXe89A

— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) 30 июня 2015

The SCO is a political, economic and military alliance that comprises China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.