R. Minnikhanov: “Interparliamentary cooperation between Russia and China is an important instrument of strategic partnership”

(KZN.RU, March 22). Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, met today with the participants of the 6th Russian-Chinese Business Forum and the inter-party dialogue “United Russia Party” - the Communist Party of China”. The event was held in Kazan on the site of the GTRK “Korston”.

Boris Gryzlov, the chairman of the Supreme Council of the United Russia Party, Farid Mukhametshin, the chairman of the State Council of the RT, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, Sun Tao, the head of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Albert Karimov, the deputy Prime Minister of the RT and the minister of Industry and Trade of the RT, Radik Gimatdinov, the assistant to the President of the RT, Taliya Minullina, the head of the Agency for Investment Development of the RT, and others took part in the meeting.

Welcoming the participants of the meeting, Rustam Minnikhanov noted that Russian-Chinese relations are the character of a comprehensive strategic partnership, reports the press service of the President of the RT. The constant political dialogue is maintained at the highest level, the countries have common positions on relevant international and regional issues. The Treaty on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2016. In addition, China is Russia's largest trading partner.

“Great importance is attached to the development of bonds between the Russian regions and the Chinese provinces. We cherish the current high level of relations with China and attach great importance to expanding our comprehensive contacts, aimed at strengthening friendship and interaction between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China”, said Rustam Minnikhanov.

He said that Tatarstan actively cooperates with Chinese partners. Mr. Hu Jintao, the President of China, Mr. Li Keqiang, the premier of the State Council of China, Zhang Dejiang, the chairman of the Standing Committee of the All-China Congress (Parliament), visited the republic at different times. Delegations from Tatarstan are also frequent guests in the People's Republic of China.

Rustam Minnikhanov reminded that recently the General Consulate of China was opened in Kazan. The Trade and Economic Mission of Tatarstan operates in Beijing. Agreements with a number of Chinese provinces, companies and universities are signed and implemented. The Republic takes an active part in the work of the joint regional group “Volga-Yangtze”.

“Last year, the plant for the production of mineral fertilizers “Ammonium” started its work in Mendeleevsk. It was built with the participation of the Chinese National Chemical Engineering Corporation. The company “Higher” has opened a factory in Tatarstan for the production of refrigerators. Today, the decision to build a second enterprise for the production of washing machines was adopted”, added the President of the RT.

According to Rustam Minnikhanov, joint activities are conducted with Chinese companies in the field of petrochemistry, engineering, automotive, information, agriculture, construction, health, and tourism.

“An important direction is inter-parliamentary and inter-party interaction. In 2015, Farid Mukhametshin, the chairman of the State Council of the RT, visited China as part of the Russian delegation of the United Russia Party and took part in the forum in the framework of the two countries' dialogue on the project “Silk Road”. We hope that the events in Kazan will be another excellent example of work in this direction”, he addressed the forum participants.

Mr. Sun Tao marked in his response that today Russian-Chinese 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.

The head of the International Department of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China also noted that Tatarstan is well known in the China as a region with significant economic, investment and research potential. He highly appreciated the republic's contribution to the development of interregional cooperation with China.