China-Russia Strategic Partnership: News and Analyses

[TaiShang]

THAAD only hinders efforts to denuclearize peninsula
chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2017-04-27

The militaries of the United States and Republic of Korea are accelerating installation of the controversial Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system south of Seoul.

If, as US Pacific Command chief Harry Harris claimed, THAAD is expected to be operational "in the coming days", there is little chance of it being suspended because of protests from Beijing and Moscow, even though it comes at a time when Washington and its allies want them to commit more comprehensively and deeply to coordinated moves.

Although the official excuse has been Pyongyang's wayward stuntsmanship and the threat it poses, making THAAD a fait accompli and pre-empting any change of mind from the next administration in Seoul may be a more powerful driver behind the rush to get THAAD up and running in the ROK.

Of course, Beijing and Moscow have valid reasons to protest, because the advanced system upsets the regional strategic balance and its radar undermines Chinese and Russian security interests, even though both the US and ROK claim otherwise.

And since the deployment of THAAD in the ROK is now seemingly done and dusted, China and Russia have no choice but to respond.

Yet, whatever form that takes, it will not be end of the story, since the nascent coalition against Pyongyang's nuclear/missile program is likely to be collateral damage from the intransigence of Washington and Seoul.

Beijing and Moscow are in the same boat with Washington and its regional allies on denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula thanks to a shared security interest. And in the White House's latest rhetoric on Korean Peninsula denuclearization, China and Russia are referred to as "partners in the region", indicating unprecedented eagerness for a united front.

Beijing, however, has been identified as crucial to dissuading the DPRK from continuing along the path it has chosen. So much so that Washington seems to believe that Beijing alone can make a dramatic difference.

Beijing, on its part, has been consistent in adherence to diplomacy and pursuing a nuclear-free peninsula with the united efforts of all stakeholders.

The push to make THAAD operational in the ROK, however, creates a serious distraction for Beijing, because it represents a new security threat to it, one it must now address as a matter of urgency.

Washington and Seoul claim Beijing is misreading the situation and overreacting, but that is because they are not willing to take Beijing's concerns seriously and have not looked at the matter from Beijing's perspective.

Seoul does not seem to care what this means in the long run. But THAAD threatens to permanently change the regional landscape and only adds new dynamics to a situation that was already complex and requiring of careful handling.

 

[TaiShang]

Here Is How Beijing Feels About an Alliance With Russia
Chinese thinking is surprisingly similar to Russia's own position

RI Staff
Thu, Apr 27, 2017



There has been a lot of talk of a potential Russian-Chinese alliance to counter the US especially since 2014, but how do the Chinese feel about that?

Actually there is a lively and surprisingly open and realistic debate on alliance with Moscow in Beijing.

Lyle J. Goldstein, a China specialist writing for The National Interest, has now provided a fascinating window into that debate. His summary of a recent article from a Chinese strategist is a must read, and is sure to leave you with newfound respect for Chinese sobriety and realism:

I have previously mentioned the surprising candor with which strategists in Beijing are debating the future of China’s long-time policy of disavowing alliances [不结盟].

Once again, the vigor of this debate is on display in a 2017 article that appeared in Chinese Foreign Policy [中国外交] under the title: Make an Alliance with China? Russian National Interests and the Likelihood of a China-Russia Alliance [与中国结盟吗? 俄罗斯国家利益与中俄结盟概率].

The article offers a candid and relatively objective argument on this issue, which is of major importance to the future of global politics, and so this edition of Dragon Eye will summarize the contents of this fascinating paper.

At the outset, the author suggests that the potential of a China-Russia alliance could be a transformative strategy [改变现状的战略].

It is, moreover, suggested that other significant Beijing strategists, such as Zhang Wenmu, have favored this approach, since Zhang apparently has said that “U.S. containment invites China-Russia counter-containment” [即美国遏制与中俄反遏制].

The author of this article concludes that alliance could be “an effective tool” for coping with “American pressure.” The issue of Russia’s immense natural resource base is also considered quite relevant to Beijing’s future deliberations on the issue.

And yet much of this paper is devoted to “pouring cold water” on the proposal to align China formally with Russia.

A theme discussed widely in the paper is the possibility that the alliance would not be viewed as a defensive reaction, but rather as an offensive [具备一定的攻击性] and aggressive step. On the one hand, the author identifies a classic “entrapment” argument against alliances, noting that China could get pulled into unnecessary military conflicts. On the other hand, the author notes that Russia hardly requires the assistance of Chinese military forces.

Moreover, the point is made repeatedly in the article that China’s conversion of economic power into military is a relatively slow process [经济实力向军事实力转化的速度相对更慢] resulting in a lag, even as its economic ascendance is more obvious.

While not stated explicitly, the author seems to imply that China’s continuing military weakness is an obstacle to a China-Russia alliance, perhaps because China is not seen as a sufficiently capable partner. However, the author nonetheless is surprisingly explicit in stating that China would be the more senior partner in a hypothetical alliance, largely due to its economic heft [中国…占优势的情况]. Yet, Beijing would also inevitably demand more help from Moscow within this alliance, given the already evident strategic pressure placed on China by Washington’s “rebalance to the Asia-Pacific.”

Indeed, the author illustrates the inherent tensions of a China-Russia alliance, by suggesting that Russia has actually benefited strategically from the American “rebalance” and that a China-Russia alliance would create certain contradictions in Russian diplomacy, for example in Moscow’s quite extensive dealings with Southeast Asian nations.

This analysis suggests that the Ukraine Crisis may not actually have altered world politics so completely. After all, it is observed, Russia depended on its own military strength in the crisis and, moreover, the crisis did not really remove pressure as applied against China.

The author states emphatically that Russia’s first priority will remain on improving the economy [俄罗斯…经济发展任务十分严峻] and this will depend, above all, on improved relations with Europe and the United States. Applying a somewhat similar logic, it is also observed that U.S.-China cooperation on many issues might not persist if China took the step of actively pursuing an alliance with Russia.

The author additionally points out that both Russia and China have been able to attain local superiority in areas of concern, suggesting that an alliance could be unnecessary.

Finally, a point is made regarding Russian cultural attitudes toward China. According to this article, polls find Chinese favorably inclined toward Russia, but that Russians are not similarly favorably inclined toward China.

Nevertheless, the analysis is not entirely pessimistic regarding the prospects of a China-Russia alliance. Indeed, the author comes around to concluding:

“One can predict that Russia will become the most fundamental objective of China’s alliance-making” [可以预见的是俄罗斯将成为中国结盟的最主要目标]. It is explained further that “confronting a situation of pressure from the United States and its allies, China needs a country that it can have close cooperation with that will form a strategic rear flank that can be depended on and this country is Russia.”

Successive years of enhanced military exercises are noted and the 2012 near simultaneous strategic moves against Japanese island claims are cited as positive examples of the prospective alliance’s promise. Moreover, it is stated that increased shipments of Russian oil and gas will improve China’s energy security.

The author explicitly suggests coordination between China and Russia on difficult diplomatic questions, such as the Iran and North Korean issues. In an intriguing closing observation, the author predicts that “Russia’s rising power will enable it to increase its position within an alliance. Ten years in the future, the potential for a China-Russia alliance will increase” [十年以后 . . . 中俄结盟概率将上升.]

Still, this Chinese study, which exhibits an impressive objectivity, can hardly be called a full-throated endorsement of such an alliance. Maintaining some of the most important aspects of current Russia-China cooperation is in the realm of “political and moral support” [政治和道义支持], and the author seems to recognize that these partners are quite satisfied with the already high and steadily improving climate of cooperation.

They do not see a great advantage to formalizing the partnership, at least in the near term. The author maintains that “scrapping the old policy of disavowing alliances should not be equated with choosing to make alliances” [放弃不结盟政策并不意味着选择结盟].

That nebulous statement is likely meant to suggest that a long, gradual process is envisioned and Beijing will wisely avoid any precipitous moves. It is noted that the Chinese government has already embraced a policy of “building up strategic strong point countries” [打造战略支点国家] that, after all, has a similar connotation to this discussion.

A final point to consider is the author’s conclusion that “U.S. strategic squeezing and containment has not yet reached a level that it is imperative for the two countries to react by forming an alliance” [美国的战略挤压和遏制也并没有达到需要两国结盟应对的程度].

To be sure, this statement carries the implied threat that if Washington does seek to ramp up the “rebalance,” that one of Beijing’s possible responses will be to actively seek a more formalized military partnership with Moscow.

In summary, the Chinese feel that so far there is not a need for an entangling formal alliance but should the pair come under even more US pressure it can quickly become a real possibility. Incidentally this is exactly the Russian thinking as well. Can we say great minds think alike?

@Kiss_of_the_Dragon , @terranMarine , @vostok , @hackerdelight , @sinait

 

[samsara]

Connection of Belt and Road Initiative, Eurasian Economic Union to bear fruit in 5 to 10 years: Russian expert

Source: Xinhua | 2017-05-12 04:13:12 | Editor: huaxia

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Lima, Peru, Nov. 19, 2016. (Xinhua/Li Tao)​

MOSCOW, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Xinhua recently interviewed Sergey Lukonin, Head of the Sector of Chinese Economy and Politics, Center for Asian Pacific Studies, Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations.

Q1: In your view, how does Russia see the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative?

A: I think Russia supports this initiative. Russia and China signed a joint declaration on the connection of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in May 2015. Leaders of both countries advocate this partnership.

Q2: Where does the vitality of the Belt and Road Initiative come from?

A: Firstly, countries along the Belt and Road have long been troubled by poor infrastructure and a lack of investment. Secondly, these countries can use Chinese fund to upgrade their infrastructure and boost economic growth.

Q3: How do you see the prospect of the connection between the Belt and Road Initiative and the EEU?

A: I see a bright future. Cooperation is now underway, including the Yamal LNG project partly financed by the Silk Road Fund. At the same time, some projects are being implemented slowly, but I think obstacles will be removed in the long run. The connection will bear fruit in five to 10 years.

Q4: In which areas will we see first breakthroughs? And which sectors will become a powerhouse for Russia-China cooperation?

A: There are already breakthroughs in some areas, such as the energy sector. Russia is supplying oil and gas to China. In the future, the two countries are likely to cooperate in more areas, including transport infrastructure. In addition, I hope Russia and China can jointly establish a production chain, which can be finally expanded to a global one with more added value.

Q5: In one sentence, what do you want to say about the Belt and Road Initiative?

A: In addition to economic cooperation, we should strengthen partnerships at cultural, people-to-people and scientific research levels.

 

[Nevsky]

Russia-China Power of Siberia Gas Pipeline Construction Going Ahead of Schedule

Russia's Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said that the construction of the Power of Siberia gas pipeline aimed at supplying gas from Russia to China is going ahead of schedule and over 740 kilometers (460 miles) of the pipeline have already been constructed.

BEIJING (Sputnik) – The construction of the Power of Siberia gas pipeline aimed at supplying gas from Russia to China is going ahead of schedule and over 740 kilometers (460 miles) of the pipeline have already been constructed, Russia's Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said Sunday.

"We are successfully moving forward in implementation of the Power of Siberia project. We are working slightly ahead of schedule, at the moment… over 740 kilometers of the pipeline has already been constructed," Miller told the Rossiya-24 television.

He added that Gazprom plans to sign several contracts on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on Monday, including the ones related to the Power of Siberia and to the construction of underground gas storage facilities in China

 

[TaiShang]

The speech by our (by far) the most important guest at the Belt and Road Summit:

***

Putin Tells Beijing Forum: The Future Belongs to Eurasia

Putin: "Greater Eurasia is not an abstract geopolitical arrangement but, without exaggeration, a truly civilisation-wide project looking toward the future"



The future belongs to Eurasia

Russia's President Vladimir Putin spoke at the opening of the One Belt, One Road international forum in Beijing on Sunday. The two-day summit will focus on China's Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

In his address, Putin welcomed China’s One Belt, One Road initiative and stressed that Russia is committed to working with its regional partners to forge a new "political and economic landscape of the continent and bring peace, stability, prosperity and a new quality of life to Eurasia ... Greater Eurasia is not an abstract geopolitical arrangement but, without exaggeration, a truly civilisation-wide project looking toward the future".

Highlights from his speech:

Let us not forget about those threats that stem from regional conflicts. Areas of smouldering disagreements still exist across Eurasia. In order to eliminate those conflicts, first of all, we need to abandon hostile rhetoric, mutual accusations and rebukes that only aggravate the situation. Altogether, none of the old approaches to conflict resolution should be used to solve modern problems. We need fresh and stereotype-free ideas.

I believe Eurasia can work out and propose a constructive and positive agenda on issues relating to security, improving relations between states, economic development, social change, better administration and the search for new forces capable of driving growth.

For the global community, we must be an example of a collective, innovative and constructive future based on justice, equality and respect for national sovereignty, international law and the unwavering principles of the United Nations.

However, desire and will alone are not enough to follow through on this agenda. Efficient tools for this type of cooperation are required. These can be created through integration. Today there are many thriving integration projects in Eurasia. We support them and are vested in their further development.

Many are aware of the fact that Russia and its partners are building the Eurasian Economic Union. The parties of the EAEU have similar views on Eurasian integration and it is very important to us that the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are participating in this forum.

We welcome China’s One Belt, One Road initiative. By proposing this initiative, President Xi Jinping has demonstrated an example of a creative approach toward fostering integration in energy, infrastructure, transport, industry and humanitarian collaboration, about which I have just talked at length.

I believe that by adding together the potential of all the integration formats like the EAEU, the OBOR, the SCO and the ASEAN, we can build the foundation for a larger Eurasian partnership. This is the approach that, we believe, should be applied to the agenda proposed today by the People’s Republic of China.

We would welcome the involvement of our European colleagues from the EU states in this partnership. This would make it truly concordant, balanced and all encompassing, and will allow us to realise a unique opportunity to create a common cooperation framework from the Atlantic to the Pacific – for the first time in history.

It is necessary that already today, we start acting upon the development strategy of the large Eurasian partnership. Thus, we can set an ambitious goal of making the flow of goods across as expedient, convenient and unhindered as possible. Just now, in his address, President Xi Jinping spoke about lifting bureaucratic barriers for trade flows between China and Kazakhstan. We can see it happening along other routes.

Additionally, I would like to stress that Russia is not only willing to be a reliable trading partner but also seeks to invest in the creation of joint ventures and new production capacities in partnering states, to invest in industrial facilities, sales and services.

Furthermore, it is necessary to eliminate infrastructure restrictions for integration – mainly by creating a system of modern and well-connected transport corridors. Russia with its unique geographic location is willing to engage in this joint activity.

We are consistently upgrading our maritime, railway and road infrastructure, expanding the capacity of the Baikal-Amur Mainline and the Trans-Siberian Railway, investing significant resources into improvements to the Northeast Passage in order for it to become a global competitive transport artery.

If we look at the bigger picture, the infrastructure projects within the EAEU and the One Belt, One Road initiative in conjunction with the Northeast Passage can completely reconfigure transportation on the Eurasian continent, which is the key to exploring new territory and intensifying economic and investment activity. Let us pave these roads to development and prosperity together.

We expect newly established financial institutions like New Development Bank (BRICS Development Bank) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to offer a supporting hand to private investors. And of course, quality integration is only possible with the support of strong human capital, qualified professionals, advanced technology and research.

On a final note, I would like to stress that Russia does not simply view the future of the Eurasian partnership as the mere establishment of new ties between states and economies. This partnership must shift the political and economic landscape of the continent and bring peace, stability, prosperity and a new quality of life to Eurasia.

Understandably our citizens need security, confidence in the future and the opportunity to be productive and improve the wealth and well-being of their families. It is our common duty and responsibility to ensure they have these opportunities.

In this respect, the greater Eurasia is not an abstract geopolitical arrangement but, without exaggeration, a truly civilisation-wide project looking toward the future.

I believe that by maintaining the spirit of cooperation, we can achieve that future.

@Kiss_of_the_Dragon , @BRICSFTW , @Jlaw , @vostok , @Chinese-Dragon

 

[Jlaw]

The speech by our (by far) the most important guest at the Belt and Road Summit:

***

Putin Tells Beijing Forum: The Future Belongs to Eurasia

Putin: "Greater Eurasia is not an abstract geopolitical arrangement but, without exaggeration, a truly civilisation-wide project looking toward the future"



The future belongs to Eurasia

Russia's President Vladimir Putin spoke at the opening of the One Belt, One Road international forum in Beijing on Sunday. The two-day summit will focus on China's Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

In his address, Putin welcomed China’s One Belt, One Road initiative and stressed that Russia is committed to working with its regional partners to forge a new "political and economic landscape of the continent and bring peace, stability, prosperity and a new quality of life to Eurasia ... Greater Eurasia is not an abstract geopolitical arrangement but, without exaggeration, a truly civilisation-wide project looking toward the future".

Highlights from his speech:

Let us not forget about those threats that stem from regional conflicts. Areas of smouldering disagreements still exist across Eurasia. In order to eliminate those conflicts, first of all, we need to abandon hostile rhetoric, mutual accusations and rebukes that only aggravate the situation. Altogether, none of the old approaches to conflict resolution should be used to solve modern problems. We need fresh and stereotype-free ideas.

I believe Eurasia can work out and propose a constructive and positive agenda on issues relating to security, improving relations between states, economic development, social change, better administration and the search for new forces capable of driving growth.

For the global community, we must be an example of a collective, innovative and constructive future based on justice, equality and respect for national sovereignty, international law and the unwavering principles of the United Nations.

However, desire and will alone are not enough to follow through on this agenda. Efficient tools for this type of cooperation are required. These can be created through integration. Today there are many thriving integration projects in Eurasia. We support them and are vested in their further development.

Many are aware of the fact that Russia and its partners are building the Eurasian Economic Union. The parties of the EAEU have similar views on Eurasian integration and it is very important to us that the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are participating in this forum.

We welcome China’s One Belt, One Road initiative. By proposing this initiative, President Xi Jinping has demonstrated an example of a creative approach toward fostering integration in energy, infrastructure, transport, industry and humanitarian collaboration, about which I have just talked at length.

I believe that by adding together the potential of all the integration formats like the EAEU, the OBOR, the SCO and the ASEAN, we can build the foundation for a larger Eurasian partnership. This is the approach that, we believe, should be applied to the agenda proposed today by the People’s Republic of China.

We would welcome the involvement of our European colleagues from the EU states in this partnership. This would make it truly concordant, balanced and all encompassing, and will allow us to realise a unique opportunity to create a common cooperation framework from the Atlantic to the Pacific – for the first time in history.

It is necessary that already today, we start acting upon the development strategy of the large Eurasian partnership. Thus, we can set an ambitious goal of making the flow of goods across as expedient, convenient and unhindered as possible. Just now, in his address, President Xi Jinping spoke about lifting bureaucratic barriers for trade flows between China and Kazakhstan. We can see it happening along other routes.

Additionally, I would like to stress that Russia is not only willing to be a reliable trading partner but also seeks to invest in the creation of joint ventures and new production capacities in partnering states, to invest in industrial facilities, sales and services.

Furthermore, it is necessary to eliminate infrastructure restrictions for integration – mainly by creating a system of modern and well-connected transport corridors. Russia with its unique geographic location is willing to engage in this joint activity.

We are consistently upgrading our maritime, railway and road infrastructure, expanding the capacity of the Baikal-Amur Mainline and the Trans-Siberian Railway, investing significant resources into improvements to the Northeast Passage in order for it to become a global competitive transport artery.

If we look at the bigger picture, the infrastructure projects within the EAEU and the One Belt, One Road initiative in conjunction with the Northeast Passage can completely reconfigure transportation on the Eurasian continent, which is the key to exploring new territory and intensifying economic and investment activity. Let us pave these roads to development and prosperity together.

We expect newly established financial institutions like New Development Bank (BRICS Development Bank) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to offer a supporting hand to private investors. And of course, quality integration is only possible with the support of strong human capital, qualified professionals, advanced technology and research.

On a final note, I would like to stress that Russia does not simply view the future of the Eurasian partnership as the mere establishment of new ties between states and economies. This partnership must shift the political and economic landscape of the continent and bring peace, stability, prosperity and a new quality of life to Eurasia.

Understandably our citizens need security, confidence in the future and the opportunity to be productive and improve the wealth and well-being of their families. It is our common duty and responsibility to ensure they have these opportunities.

In this respect, the greater Eurasia is not an abstract geopolitical arrangement but, without exaggeration, a truly civilisation-wide project looking toward the future.

I believe that by maintaining the spirit of cooperation, we can achieve that future.
R]

It is going to work unlike BRICS bank because there is no unwilling partners with thus initiative.

 

[samsara]

Joint Potentials of EAEU, SCO Could Become Basis for Eurasia Partnership - Putin

Sputnik International - 2017-05-14 09:29 (updated 2017-05-14 09:45)

Vladimir Putin said that the combination of potentials of such international organizations and initiatives as the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the One Belt, One Road could become a basis for the partnership in the Eurasian region.

BEIJING (Sputnik) – The combination of potentials of such international organizations and initiatives as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the One Belt, One Road could become a basis for the partnership in the Eurasian region, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday.

"I consider that unification of potentials of such formats of integration as the EAEU, the One Belt, One Road, the SCO and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN] could become a framework for creation of a big Eurasian partnership," Putin said at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in China.​

The president added that Eurasian countries could work out a positive agenda focusing on settlement the existing issues and to show the international community the example of a common future.

"We should show the international community an example of joint, innovative, constructive future, based on fairness, equality and respect of national sovereignty, based on the norms of international law and on the unbreakable principles of the United Nations," the Russian leader said.​

The Chinese capital is currently hosting the two-day international forum organized within the framework of the so-called One Belt, One Road initiative. A total of 29 heads of state and numerous experts and officials are participating in the Beijing event.

 

[Nevsky]

High-Tech Cooperation with China

Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping announced the next meeting in the Silk Road Forum format will be held in 2019.

Russia and China are cooperating in many high-tech industries, for example, in space and aircraft manufacturing, Putin said.

"We cooperate in space quite successfully, and there is every chance that we will increase this cooperation. Supplies of our rocket engines to China are on the agenda," Putin told a press conference.

He said that Russia is going to supply China with high-tech engines.

The Russian president emphasized that the main area of cooperation is the energy sector, adding that Russia and China are going to work in the LNG area together.

He said that Russia is open to cooperation with any state, adding that China has also demonstrated such openness.

When asked of an alleged risk of Russia's absorption by the Chinese economy, Putin said that "we are not a country that is afraid of anything, China's actions are not aimed at this."

 

[onebyone]

China: Putin plays the piano at Xi Jinping's residence in Beijing

 

[samsara]

Virtuoso-in-chief: Putin plays anthems of Russia’s capitals during intl forum in China (VIDEO)

Published time: 14 May, 2017 09:48
Edited time: 14 May, 2017 14:57

Russia’s president didn’t fritter away his time ahead of a meeting with his Chinese counterpart at a high-profile forum in Beijing. Known for his keen interest in music, Vladimir Putin played the unofficial anthems of Moscow and St. Petersburg on a piano.

When Putin arrived at the official residence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, he was apparently so captivated by a black grand piano that he immediately sat down at the instrument. First, he played Moskovskie Okna (Moscow Windows), which is considered the Russian capital’s unofficial anthem.

A while later, he performed the unofficial anthem of his native city – Leningrad (now St. Petersburg).

The Russian leader showed off his virtuosity during the international ‘One Belt, One Road’ forum in Beijing. The event has brought together numerous heads of state and government, along with their top aids and the representatives of global financial organizations.

READ MORE: Belt & Road: China welcomes heads of state, intl bodies at global cooperation forum

As one of the forum’s keynote speakers, Putin called for the construction of transport corridors and the creation of large-scale energy projects.

The “civilization project for the future,” as Putin called the New Silk Road, should bring stability and prosperity along its way.

https://www.facebook.com/

This is not the first time Russia’s president has surprised audiences with his musical skills. In January of this year during a meeting with students at Moscow State University, he sang along to the tune of a Soviet song ‘14 Minutes till Launch’, which celebrates the USSR’s achievements in space.

In 2010, while serving as prime minister, Putin famously took to the stage at a charity event where he sat at a piano and played the beginning of Blueberry Hill before an audience packed with international celebrities, including Kevin Costner, Mickey Rourke, and Sharon Stone. A while later, he even sang the song in English.

https://www.rt.com/viral/388316-putin-plays-piano-china/

* * * * *

Putin surprises with impromptu piano performance in Beijing - CGTN

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Needless to say, Vladimir Putin is indeed a great, admirable Russian leader with many skills and excellent statesmanship while physically is quite fit. Russian people are fortunate to have a white knight came from nowhere --indeed had a narrow escape from the grip of the powerful Kremlin tsar back then, the late Boris Abramovich Berezovsky (died mysteriously in London in 2013) and his gang-- they must thank Putin for navigating the "Russian Mother Ship" through very difficult times and get floating again. Cannot imagine if Russia just got another drunken Boris Yeltsin (though at last he repented his blunder by appointed Putin as his successor)... in that case the pillaging of the Federation's wealth and natural resources would have been intensifying, there would have been many Yukos... and many more robber barons of some particular tribe would have popped up... as well as cannot exclude another possibility of Balkanization / Yugoslavia scenario!


A side note: the fact that Putin paid a visit (or more precisely, was invited) to the official RESIDENCE of Xi (that is in Zhongnanhai) just shows the closeness of the personal relationship between the two great leaders!

I don't recall read often the foreign leaders are ever invited to the official residences of Chinese top leaders. Quite rare to my understanding.

 

[terranMarine]

It is going to work unlike BRICS bank because there is no unwilling partners with thus initiative.

Whenever India is involved all projects are doomed to fail

 

[TaiShang]

Russia-China fund to invest $500m this year
By CAI XIAO | China Daily | Updated: 2017-05-16

Kirill Dmitriev, co-CEO of the Russia-China Investment Fund PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

The Russia-China Investment Fund, a private equity fund formed by the Russian Direct Investment Fund and China Investment Corp, will invest more than $500 million in 2017 in Russia and China in infrastructure, agriculture, technology and consumer sectors, according to its senior executives.

"The Russia-China Investment Fund has played a crucial role in showcasing that we can make very good returns by working together," said Kirill Dmitriev, co-CEO of the Russia-China Investment Fund and CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, the country's sovereign wealth fund.

Dmitriev said the RCIF will invest more than $500 million in seven to nine deals this year, and for every dollar they invest in, they will attract $3 to $5 from other investors.

Set up in 2012, the RCIF is a private equity fund into which each of the two nations has committed $1 billion. It has invested, with partners, in 19 deals in Russia, China and third countries totaling more than $5 billion. The RCIF has cashed out on one deal－Russian children's retailer Detsky Mir, and its internal rate of return was as high as 90 percent.

The latest investment is that the RCIF, along with the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Vi Holding and some Middle Eastern investors, invested 90 billion roubles ($1.6 billion) in building one of Russia's largest technology parks at the former Tushino airfield northwest of Moscow. Equity investment will be about $300 million and debt will be a big part for funding.

The total area of the project will be more than 1 million square meters, covering offices and residential property. It will also include the construction of sports and social infrastructure facilities as well as recreational and park zones. The term sheet was signed on Saturday in Beijing.

Russia's state-backed Rostec State Corp, which promotes development, production and export of high-tech industrial products for civil and defense sectors, will be a significant tenant of the office space.

"We will learn from Chinese experience and make it a beautiful technology park," said Dmitriev. "The project will start construction this year and finish within three years."

Hu Bing, co-CEO and president of the RCIF, said as relations between Russia and China continue to flourish, and cross-border trade is expected to increase significantly in the next couple of years, many Chinese companies and financial institutions are coming to Russia to bolster economic cooperation.

China is Russia's top trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $69.5 billion last year, a year-on-year increase of 2.2 percent, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

"The Russian real estate market has become very attractive for Chinese investors. We would expect further interest from Chinese investors in the Russian real estate market and the RCIF will continue to play an active role in the sector," said Hu.

@BRICSFTW , @Shotgunner51

 

[TaiShang]

Beijing and Moscow to Pour $15 Billion Into Developing the Far East

The practical side of One Belt, One Road

TASS



Russia's Vladivostok, provincial capital of the Far East

China and Russia are planning to set up a joint regional development and cooperation investment fund with a total amount of 100 bln renminbi (around $14.5 bln) to bolster the development of Russia’s Far East and Northeast China.

According to the materials released at the Belt and Road forum, its initial amount totals 10 bln renminbi (about $1.45 bln).

"The State Committee for Development and Reform of China will establish a 100 billion yuan Russian-Chinese investment fund for regional development and cooperation with an initial capital of 10 billion yuan to promote cooperation between Northeast China and the Far East," the document said.

Source: TASS

@Shotgunner51 , @BRICSFTW

 

[Shotgunner51]

China and Russia are planning to set up a joint regional development and cooperation investment fund with a total amount of 100 bln renminbi (around $14.5 bln) to bolster the development of Russia’s Far East and Northeast China.

"The State Committee for Development and Reform of China will establish a 100 billion yuan Russian-Chinese investment fund for regional development and cooperation with an initial capital of 10 billion yuan to promote cooperation between Northeast China and the Far East," the document said.

Source: TASS

@Shotgunner51 , @BRICSFTW

Good news! I notice the fund is denominated in RMB (or perhaps a mix of RMB and Ruble), that's a remarkable progress for Sino-Russia joint operation.

 

[Nevsky]

Huge news indeed.