Chinese FM lauds Xi's productive Sochi visit

SOCHI, Russia - Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit here demonstrated his country's friendship with Russia and its support for the Olympic cause, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday.

Meanwhile, the tightly scheduled yet fruitful trip "marked a good start for the development of China-Russia ties this year and the beginning of China's major diplomatic actions in 2014," he commented.

At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xi traveled to this Russian resort city on Thursday for the opening ceremony of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games.

During his 43-hour stay, Wang noted, Xi participated in 12 bilateral and multilateral events, including separate talks with Putin, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and several other heads of state, as well as conversations with dozens of other national leaders and heads of international sports organizations.

The whirl of diplomatic activities helped promote the mutual understanding and friendly cooperation between China and the foreign countries and international organizations involved, Wang said.

As the visit marked the first time for a Chinese head of state to attend the opening ceremony of a major sports event held overseas, it also set a new precedent for China's diplomatic work, noted the foreign minister.

The visit, he added, not only further enhanced China-Russia ties, but also showed China's openness and confidence as a major country as well as its diplomatic focus on major and neighboring countries.

In the new year, China will continue to actively promote positive major-country interaction, foster healthy major-country relations, and boost mutually beneficial cooperation with surrounding countries, Wang said.

On China-Russia ties, the foreign minister said Xi's Sochi trip evinced China's firm support for Russia's hosting of the Winter Olympic Games, and charted the course for the development of bilateral relations in the new year.

Wang also spoke highly of the frequent and close contact between Xi and Putin and their good working relationship and personal friendship, noting that Russia is not only the first country Xi visited as president last year but also the destination of his first overseas trip this year.

The arrangements indicated the high level and uniqueness of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, said the veteran diplomat.

During the Sochi trip, the two sides decided to further deepen mutual support and bilateral practical cooperation, and join hands to carry out a number of trade and cultural programs, Wang said, adding that they also agreed to strengthen bilateral coordination on international affairs.

In Sochi, Xi and Putin jointly held a video talk with naval commanders aboard their countries' warships escorting the shipments of Syrian chemical weapons, which reflected the crucial role China and Russia play in safeguarding global and regional security, Wang said.

Talking about the ongoing Winter Olympics, the foreign minister said Xi's attendance at Friday's opening ceremony manifested China's support for the international Olympic cause.

Xi also promoted China's bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Wang noted, adding that China will seize the opportunity to make new contributions to the Olympic movement.