By Xiao Wu, iChongqing news.

Chongqing - On June 2, Mr. Artem Semenov, the member of Central Committee of United Russia, Vice President of Council for Local Cooperation of Russia-China Friendship Committee for Peace and Development, shared his ideas and wishes on the cooperation between China and Russia with the press at the venue of the Belt and Road Forum for Interconnected Land-Sea Development in Chongqing.

Mr. Artem was answering questions from the press. Photo by Deng Wentao.

According to Mr. Artem, China and Russia relations have entered a new stage. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Eurasian Economic Union are complimentary on promoting trade and economic development. The bilateral trade volume between Russia and China has reached USD 100 billion so far this year. Russia will invest USD 80 billion on substantial infrastructure projects, as well as projects under the BRI and Eurasian Economic Union. He hopes China can also take an active part in these projects. "The cooperation between our two countries is good for the economy and trade, which can also drive the world economy," said Mr. Artem.

As the world economy is facing uncertainties, Mr. Artem pointed out that, in cooperation, countries should respect each other and carry out win-win cooperation. He also stressed that China is a strong country and also protects the free trade.

"We attach great importance to regional cooperation. This time, I attend the Belt and Road Forum for Interconnected Land-Sea Development in Chongqing in the hope that through this platform, we two sides can get to know more about each other and what we can offer." Said Mr. Artem explained his expectation to attend the forum.

It is Mr. Artem's third time to Chongqing. Moreover, this city has left a brilliant impression on him. "Chongqing is a huge metropolis with fast development. The infrastructure here is very impressive. You got a lot of tunnels and high-speed trains sprawling through the mountains. We don't have that in Russia," described Mr. Artem. "The China-Europe Railway Express (Chongqing) which increases the trade between Chongqing and European countries also goes through Russia. I hope Chongqing people can enjoy more products from Russia in the future," said Mr. Artem.