China-Russia Trade Grew 35% in First Half of 2017: Medvedev

On Tuesday, Russian Prime Minister (PM) Dmitry Medvedev said China-Russia trade rose by 35 percent in the first two quarters of the year.

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The PM added that Moscow seeks to establish investments in Russia's far east, according to People's Daily.
"Trade volume only grew 4 percent last year, but from January to August this year, trade grew by 35 percent. It's a good pace and I hope this will continue," Medvedev said. 

He explained that Russia was building development zones in that region so that foreign companies can enjoy first-five-year preferential tax policies on investments.

"About 1.2 million Chinese tourists visited Russia last year. Based on our knowledge, the number of Chinese visitors rose by around 20 percent in the first half of the year," Medvedev said.

He added that Russia will soon put in place a visa exemption policy for a group of three or more Chinese visitors, extendable by three weeks.

The PM told reporters in Beijing that Russia is working to implement a national payment system, elaborating that the world should not be dominated by any one currency.

The recently concluded 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China laid the foundation for enhanced relations between China and Russia, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday.
"Russia has paid close attention to the progress of 19th CPC National Congress and its outcomes. Russia and China share a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, and our party-to-party exchanges are smooth and sound," he said, referring to the United Russia Party and Chinese President Xi Jinping's CPC.
The Russian prime minister's comments came as he fielded questions from Chinese internet users.

"We noticed that the 19th National Congress of the CPC has come out with a series of important decisions that are of great strategic importance. We look forward to seeing these outcomes implemented," he stated.

"The meeting has opened a new chapter for developing our bilateral relations, and we feel strongly encouraged."
Medvedev commenced a three-day visit to China on Tuesday. He is scheduled to hold talks with Xi following Tuesday's first meeting with Premier Li Keqiang.

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Medvedev has met with Xi five times in as many years, each visit reinforcing the importance of maintaining and expanding mutually beneficial bilateral relations.

Medvedev is a regular visitor to China, over the years expressing interest in Taoism as well as encouraging the Russian people to learn Chinese.