Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin exchange New Year greetings

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged New Year greetings. This was reported by CCTV television channel on December 31.

"Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin sent New Year greetings to each other," the report said.

The Chinese leader noted in his congratulatory message the movement of the PRC and Russian Federation hand in hand in the issues of "non-confrontation" and "non-targeting." He also pointed to the connection of the eastern gas pipeline between the countries, cooperation in the cultural sphere through the "China-Russia Year of Culture" and in work in BRICS and the Shanghai Organization.

"I am ready to continue to maintain close contacts with Mr. President <...> and make new and important contributions to improving the well-being of the Chinese and Russian peoples and safeguarding international justice and fairness," Xi Jinping said.

For his part, the Russian president noted the systematic development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries in the fields of economy, trade, energy, transportation, science and technology.

"Looking forward to the new year, I am ready to continue to maintain close working contacts with President Xi Jinping, <...> as well as to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and G20 coordination," Putin said.

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Earlier in the day, North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin and also wished a Happy New Year to all Russians and members of the Russian Armed Forces (AF).