Moscow [Russia], May 18: Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 17 attended the opening ceremony of the Russia-China Exhibition in Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province (China), scheduled to last until May 21. Speaking to attendees at the exhibition, Mr. Putin said both countries can be proud of their bilateral economic relationship when trade turnover has reached 240 billion USD, according to RT Radio.
Mr. Putin emphasized that this cooperation will boost the economies of the two countries, raise living standards and promote energy security . He affirmed that "our strategic alliance in the energy sector, which has become a solid pillar of the entire global energy market, will continue to grow stronger." President Putin affirmed that Russia can provide electricity to China at a reasonable price.
May 17 is the last day of President Putin 's two-day visit to China . This is President Putin's first foreign trip after he took office for his 5th term on May 7.
Meanwhile, US Assistant Secretary of Defense in charge of Indo-Pacific security Ely Ratner had a video call on May 16 with Major General Ly Ban, Head of the Office of International Military Cooperation under the Army. China's Central Committee , and expressed "serious concerns" about the relationship between Beijing and Moscow, according to the South China Morning Post .
* Also on May 16, Reuters quoted a US official as saying that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is expected to meet Chinese Defense Minister Dong Quan at a conference in Singapore later this month.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
