Vladimir Putin: level of Russian-Chinese relations "as high as ever"

Vladimir Putin believes that the level of Russian-Chinese relations today is "as high as ever", he said at a Kremlin press conference on Monday, when answering a Chinese journalist's question. It is not only his personal opinion, but also the opinion of all Russian leaders, he added.

Russian and China are closely cooperating in all international organizations, Putin pointed out. "We feel the support of the Chinese people and the Chinese leaders in solving key problems," the president stressed. He expressed his hope that the Chinese party was of the same opinion.

Yet when speaking on the two countries' trade and economic cooperation, Putin pointed out that its level "is not high enough and do not correspond the potentials of Russia and China". The Russian president called on keeping the political dialog and military and scientific cooperation between the countries at the same level.

He also pointed out the specific role of China's president Jiang Zemin in developing Russian-Chinese cooperation.