Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin visits China

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has arrived in China.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin arrived in Shanghai late on May 22.

Russian media quoted Mr. Mishustin as saying that strengthening Russia-China relations would have a positive impact on the economies of the two countries. According to the Russian prime minister, bilateral trade turnover could reach $200 billion this year.

The Russian side said Prime Minister Mishustin will participate in the Russia-China Business Forum and visit a petrochemical research institute in Shanghai, as well as hold talks with "representatives of the Russian business community".

Earlier, Bloomberg News reported that the Russia-China Business Forum had invited a number of Russian companies that are under Western sanctions. These companies operate in many fields from fertilizers, steel to mining.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who handles Russia's energy issues, was also invited to the forum.

China has been Russia's top energy customer since last year. Russian gas exports have plummeted following a series of Western sanctions over Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine.

According to TASS news agency, after finishing his activities in Shanghai, Mr. Mishustin will then go to Beijing, where he will meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

In addition, China and Russia have increased economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts in recent years.

The strategic partnership between the two sides has also grown closer since the Ukraine conflict.

China has maintained its neutrality in the war and refused to condemn Moscow.

In February, Beijing released a document calling for a “political solution” to the conflict in Ukraine.

During a summit in Moscow last March, President Xi Jinping invited President Vladimir Putin to visit Beijing.

According to Tuoi Tre