On the morning of December 20, 2023, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin.

Xi Jinping pointed out that since the beginning of this year, he has met with President Vladimir Putin twice, and the governments, legislative bodies, political parties and localities of the two countries have carried out in-depth exchanges, and pragmatic cooperation in various fields developed in a sound and steady manner. Xi Jinping said that in the first 11 months of this year, the bilateral trade between China and Russia achieved the annual trade volume target of 200 billion U.S. dollars jointly set by him and President Vladimir Putin, which shows the strong resilience and broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Maintaining and developing China-Russia relations is a strategic choice made by both sides based on the fundamental interests of the two peoples. China supports the Russian people in taking the development path of their own choice. China stands ready to work with Russia to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia next year as a new starting point to continuously expand the positive effects of the high-level political relations between the two countries and jointly move forward in the process of comprehensively promoting their respective economic and social development and realizing national rejuvenation.

Xi Jinping emphasized that the fundamentals of the Chinese economy featuring strong resilience, great potential, vast room for maneuver for rebound and long-term sustainability remain unchanged. China stays committed to pursuing high-quality development and advancing high-level opening-up, which will provide new opportunities for the development of Russia and other countries. The two sides should make full use of advantages in political mutual trust, economic complementarity, infrastructure connectivity and closer people-to-people ties, constantly enrich the dimension of cooperation, deepen cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, energy and connectivity, and jointly safeguard the security and stability of industrial and supply chains. The two sides should ensure the success of the China-Russia Year of Culture in the next two years, plan and carry out more rich and colorful activities of people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to consolidate the social foundation and public support for the everlasting friendship between the two countries.

Mikhail Mishustin said that President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping successfully held meetings twice this year, showcasing the firm will of Russia and China to remain committed to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, and Russia stands ready to work with China to earnestly implement all important common understandings reached by the two heads of state. On Tuesday, the two sides successfully held the 28th regular meeting between Russian and Chinese heads of government. Russia is satisfied with the steady growth of bilateral practical cooperation between the two countries, and is ready to work with China to further tap into potential, expand cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, energy and connectivity, and ensure the success of the Year of Culture, so as to consolidate everlasting friendship between the two peoples. Russia sincerely congratulates China on its great achievements under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, wishes the Chinese people a happy Year of Dragon, and hopes that Russia-China relations will realize new development in the new year.

Mikhail Mishustin also conveyed sympathies of the Russian government and people to Xi Jinping on an earthquake hitting Gansu, and said that Russia is ready to provide rescue assistance in light of China's need. Xi Jinping expressed his gratitude and pointed out that after the earthquake hit Gansu and Qinghai, President Vladimir Putin and many other foreign leaders have sent messages of sympathy. China is making an all-out effort to carry out rescue, and is doing its best to protect the lives and property of the people. At present, rescue forces and supplies in the disaster-stricken areas are sufficient and the basic living needs of the local people are guaranteed. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the people in the disaster-stricken areas will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.