Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, Xi Jinping and Putin Discuss Nuclear Deal

BEIJING, (Patria) - Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing over the weekend, at the beginning of a state visit ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The two leaders discussed the nuclear deal with Iran following the withdrawal of the United States. 

The document states that, "due to the complex and unstable international situation, Russia and China will continue to strengthen bilateral strategic cooperation on global issues".

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit was also held over the weekend, attended by the leaders of China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. China's exchange with other SCO member states in 2017 amounted to 217.6 billion US dollars, and the trade structure continued to improve, with mechanical equipment and mechanical and electrical products accounting for a larger share, according to data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, reports Chinese agency Xinhua.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was founded 17 years ago and today represents a multilateral mechanism for regional security, economic cooperation, and transnational connectivity. 

Putin told Li that trade and economic ties between Russia and China have "reached a good pace" and that new areas of cooperation are being sought. 

Li stated that bilateral trade between the two countries is expected to reach 100 billion dollars this year and expressed readiness to expand cooperation in both traditional and new areas, including nuclear energy.

It is stated that Russia and China are also seeking to strengthen the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.