Q5. How do you see China-Russia cooperation within the frameworks of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the development prospects of the two?

问：您如何评价中俄在金砖国家和上海合作组织框架内的合作，以及金砖国家和上海合作组织的发展前景？

Xi: Over the last 10-plus years, BRICS countries have followed the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, deepened exchanges and cooperation in economic and financial, political and security, and cultural and people-to-people fields, making BRICS an important force that plays an active, stabilizing and constructive role in international affairs. It has been proven that BRICS represents the right direction of global development, as evidenced by its ever-widening cooperation and promising future.

答：10多年来，金砖国家秉持开放包容、合作共赢的金砖精神，不断深化经贸财金、政治安全、人文交流合作，成为国际事务中一支积极、稳定、建设性的重要力量。事实证明，金砖国家代表世界发展的正确方向，合作之路越走越宽，未来充满希望。

Russia is the birthplace of the BRICS Summit. It was in Yekaterinburg that BRICS leaders held their first meeting in 2009, opening a historic chapter in BRICS cooperation. The adoption of the BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy at the 2015 Ufa Summit was another milestone in BRICS economic cooperation.

俄罗斯是金砖国家领导人会晤的发源地。2009年，金砖国家领导人在叶卡捷琳堡举行首次会晤，开启金砖合作的历史篇章。2015年，金砖国家领导人乌法会晤通过《金砖国家经济伙伴战略》，成为五国经济合作的一个里程碑。

Coming from different continents, BRICS countries are brought together by a shared aspiration to grow our economies, deliver better lives for our peoples, and play a bigger role in regional and international affairs.

我们身处不同的大陆，但发展经济、让人民过上更好生活的共同追求，以及在国际和地区事务中发挥更大作用的共同愿望使我们走到一起。

The world today is undergoing major changes rarely seen in a century. This means both opportunities and challenges for the development of BRICS countries. Such a backdrop makes it all the more important for our five countries to stay united in the spirit of equality and mutual assistance, and deepen the BRICS strategic partnership to defend the common interests and development space of emerging markets and developing countries and achieve development and progress for all. We BRICS leaders will meet again in Brasilia in November. I hope and believe that our five countries will work together for a fruitful Summit, and take further, solid steps toward our vision of the second Golden Decade.

当今世界面临百年未有之大变局，金砖国家的发展既有机遇，也有挑战。五国应该更加紧密地团结在一起，平等相待、互帮互助，深化金砖战略伙伴关系，维护新兴市场国家和发展中国家共同利益和发展空间，谋求共同发展进步。今年11月，金砖国家领导人将在巴西利亚举行会晤。我希望并相信，五国将共同推动巴西利亚会晤取得丰硕成果，朝着实现第二个“金色十年”愿景迈出新的坚定步伐。

China and Russia are comprehensive strategic partners of coordination, and important members of BRICS. Our two countries have had close communication and coordination within the BRICS framework. As Russia will take over the BRICS chairmanship next year, China looks forward to strengthening coordination with Russia to make sure that with the sustained efforts of successive chairmanships, BRICS cooperation will yield still greater results to deliver more benefits to the people of our five countries and contribute more to world peace and development.

中俄两国是全面战略协作伙伴，同为金砖国家重要成员。双方一直在金砖国家框架内保持密切沟通和协调。俄方明年将担任金砖主席国，中方期待同俄方加强协作，在每任主席国接续努力中，推动金砖国家合作不断取得新的更大成果，更好造福五国人民，也为世界和平与发展作出更大贡献。

The SCO is a successful example of the commitment of both China and Russia to forging a new type of international relations and a good platform for such efforts. In the 18 years since the SCO’s inception, China and Russia have maintained close coordination and collaboration. As a result, the Organization has kept growing and made important contribution to peace, stability, development and prosperity in our region. As I see it, China-Russia cooperation in the SCO has the following features:

上海合作组织是中俄双方共同致力于建设新型国际关系的成功实践和有益平台。上海合作组织成立18年来，中俄两国密切协调和配合，共同推动组织不断发展壮大，为地区和平稳定和发展繁荣作出了重要贡献。我认为，两国在上海合作组织框架内的合作主要有以下特点：

First, we have stayed committed to the Shanghai Spirit. The Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations, and pursuit of common development is the underlying philosophy of the SCO. China and Russia, together with other SCO member states, have firmly rejected such anachronistic ideas as clash of civilizations, Cold War mentality, and zero-sum game. Instead, we have forged a constructive partnership featuring non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party, and set up a paradigm of a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation.

一是始终着眼弘扬“上海精神”。互信、互利、平等、协商、尊重多样文明、谋求共同发展的“上海精神”是上海合作组织的核心理念。中俄双方携手其他成员国，坚决摒弃文明冲突、冷战思维、零和博弈等陈旧观念，构建起不结盟、不对抗、不针对第三方的建设性伙伴关系，树立了相互尊重、公平正义、合作共赢的新型国际关系典范。

Second, we have stayed committed to advancing the security and development interests of SCO member states. Stability and development are the common pursuit of countries in our region. China and Russia have worked with other member states to deepen all-round cooperation in political, security, economic and cultural fields, make effective responses to new security threats and challenges, and seek greater complementarity between the BRI, the EAEU and other regional cooperation initiatives, and the development strategies of individual countries in pursuit of integrated development of our region. All these efforts have made the SCO irreplaceable for the lasting peace and stability of the whole region and the development and prosperity of individual countries.

二是始终着眼促进成员国安全和发展利益。谋稳定、促发展是地区国家的共同期待。中俄双方携手其他成员国，全面深化政治、安全、经济、人文等领域合作，妥善应对新的安全威胁和挑战，加强共建“一带一路”同欧亚经济联盟等地区合作倡议和各国发展战略对接合作，推动地区融合发展，为实现地区长治久安和各国发展繁荣发挥了不可替代的作用。

Third, we have stayed committed to raising the global profile of the SCO. Our Organization is an important and constructive force in Eurasia. China and Russia, together with other member states, have engaged extensively in regional and international affairs, upheld international fairness and justice, supported the building of an open world economy, and promoted a fairer and more equitable international order.

三是始终着眼提升上海合作组织国际影响。上海合作组织是欧亚地区重要的建设性力量。中俄双方携手其他成员国，广泛参与国际和地区事务，维护国际公平正义，支持建设开放型世界经济，推动国际秩序朝着更加公正合理的方向发展。

The SCO, responsive to the call of our times for peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, enjoys strong vitality and a bright prospect. At last year's Qingdao Summit, we together drew up a blueprint for a new phase in the SCO development. The upcoming Bishkek Summit will therefore become a new starting point in the development of the Organization. China will work with Russia and other member states to enhance unity, mutual trust and cooperation in various areas so that our Organization will keep developing to add more stability and positive energy to the world and make unique contribution to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

上海合作组织顺应和平、发展、合作、共赢的时代潮流，具有强大生命力和广阔发展前景。去年青岛峰会上，各方共同描绘了上海合作组织进入历史新阶段的发展蓝图。今年比什凯克峰会是上海合作组织发展的新起点。中方愿同俄方等成员国一道努力，深化团结互信和各领域合作，推动上海合作组织得到更大发展，为国际形势注入更多稳定性和正能量，为构建人类命运共同体作出“上合贡献”。

Q6. How would you describe your personal friendship with President Putin?

问：您如何评价您同普京总统的个人友谊？

Xi: Since 2013, President Putin and I have met nearly 30 times on bilateral and multilateral occasions, and talked on the phone and written to each other many times. I keep fond memories of each interaction I had with President Putin. We have had in-depth and most wide-ranging exchanges on both major issues like the international situation, bilateral ties and governance, and more light-hearted topics like literature, art and sports. We have taken a high-speed train ride together, watched an ice hockey friendly between Chinese and Russian youth teams, celebrated his birthday in Bali, exchanged phone calls and congratulatory messages on each other’s important festivals, and been awarded medals of the highest honor by each other’s countries. I have had closer interactions with President Putin than with any other foreign colleagues. He is my best and bosom friend. I cherish dearly our deep friendship.

答：2013年以来，我和普京总统在双边和多边场合会晤近30次，多次通电话和互致信函。我经常愉快地回忆起我同普京总统的每一次交往。我们就最广泛的议题深入交流，既包括国际形势、双边关系、治国理政等重大问题，也涉及文学、艺术、运动等轻松愉快的话题。我们共同乘坐高铁交流，一同观看中俄青少年冰球友谊赛，在巴厘岛庆祝生日，在对方国家重要节日时通电话或致信函相互祝贺，我们还都被对方国家授予最高国家荣誉勋章……普京总统是我交往最密切的外国同事，是我最好的知心朋友，我十分珍视同普京总统这份深厚的情谊。

My engagement with President Putin is built on a high degree of mutual trust. That is the solid foundation of our close friendship. We treat each other with respect, candor, understanding and trust. We share similar views on the international landscape and approaches to national governance, and we both shoulder historical responsibilities for national development and rejuvenation. Most importantly, we share a high degree of consensus on the strategic significance of the China-Russia relationship and therefore the same resolve and desire to deepen and sustain its growth. I look forward to continued close interactions with President Putin. Together, we will take our bilateral ties to new heights and work tirelessly for the development and prosperity of our two great nations and for the happy lives of our peoples.

我和普京总统的相处，建立在高度互信基础上，这是我们真挚友谊的坚实基础。我们相互尊重、坦诚相待，彼此理解、相互信任。我们对当前世界大势看法相近，在治理国家方面理念相通，肩负两国各自发展振兴的历史责任。最重要的是，我们对中俄关系的战略意义有高度一致的认识，对推动两国关系持续深入发展怀有共同的决心和愿望。我愿同普京总统保持密切交往，共同引领两国关系迈向更高水平，为中国和俄罗斯这两个伟大国家发展繁荣，为两国人民幸福安宁不懈努力。

Q7. The situation in Syria is stabilizing. The Syrian government has repeated on many occasions that it is ready to work with all relevant parties and restore its war-ravaged infrastructure as soon as possible. Does China intend to take part in Syria’s reconstruction? In Venezuela, the situation has flared up lately. What is China’s assessment? In addition, the deepening political confrontation between the US and Iran is leading to rising tensions in the Persian Gulf. How does China see the prospects for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue?

问：叙利亚局势正趋于稳定。叙利亚政府多次声明愿同有关各方开展合作，尽快重建战争期间受损的基础设施。中方是否有意参与叙利亚重建？近来，委内瑞拉局势持续激化。中方如何评价委内瑞拉局势？美国和伊朗政治对抗持续加剧，波斯湾局势愈演愈烈，中方对解决伊朗核问题的前景如何看待？

Xi: Syria is a time-honored civilization and an important country in the Middle East. It is heart-wrenching for us to see Syria caught in protracted turbulence that has wreaked havoc on its infrastructure and inflicted untold sufferings to its people. Fortunately, the situation there is improving, as the process of political settlement is making progress and the Syrian government and people are starting to rebuild their nation. The Chinese and Syrian people have long enjoyed a traditional friendship. As such, China stands ready to take part in Syria's reconstruction to the best of its capacity and help the Syrian people regain their normal life and work at an early day.

答：叙利亚是历史悠久的文明古国，也是中东地区重要国家。近年来，叙利亚局势持续动荡，基础设施遭到严重破坏，人民遭受了深重苦难，我们对此深感痛心。当前，叙利亚局势逐渐好转，政治解决进程向前推进，叙利亚政府和人民也在着手重建家园。中叙两国人民传统友好，中方愿在力所能及的范围内参与叙利亚重建，努力帮助叙利亚人民早日恢复正常生产生活。

On Venezuela, China’s position is consistent and clear. Bearing in mind the importance of upholding the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations, China maintains that the issue should be left to the government and opposition of Venezuela to resolve through inclusive political dialogue and independent consultation within the constitutional framework. China opposes external intervention, unilateral sanctions, and the use or threat of force. China will work with the rest of the international community to play a positive and constructive role on this issue, do more to facilitate talks for peace, and uphold international equity and justice, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and regional peace and stability to help Venezuela return to the track of normal development as soon as possible.

在委内瑞拉问题上，中方的立场是一贯和明确的。我们始终从维护联合国宪章和国际关系基本准则出发，坚持有关问题应该由委内瑞拉朝野在宪法框架内通过包容性政治对话自主协商解决，反对外部干涉和单边制裁，反对使用武力或以武力相威胁。中方愿同国际社会一道，在委内瑞拉问题上发挥积极建设性作用，多作劝和促谈努力，共同维护国际公平正义，维护联合国宪章宗旨和原则，维护地区和平稳定，帮助委内瑞拉早日重回正常发展轨道。

With the US imposing maximum pressure and unilateral sanctions on Iran in recent months, tensions have been escalating surrounding the Iranian nuclear issue, and for that matter, in the entire Middle East. Such developments are indeed a cause for concern. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as the embodiment of multilateralism, is crucial for the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and for peace and stability in the Middle East. It must be respected and implemented effectively in its entirety. China and Russia have highly aligned views and positions on the Iranian nuclear issue with both countries calling on all relevant parties to act with reason and restraint and increase dialogue and consultation to deescalate the tensions. China and Russia will stay in close coordination to push for positive developments while upholding the authority of the UN, peace and security in the world, and the common interests of the international community. Besides, China will continue to stand firm for its own legitimate rights and interests in this process.

近期，由于美国对伊朗进行“极限施压”和单边制裁，伊朗核问题乃至整个中东局势持续紧张升级，形势发展令人担忧。伊朗核问题全面协议是多边主义的结晶，对国际核不扩散体系及中东地区和平稳定至关重要，应该得到尊重和完整、有效执行。中俄两国在伊朗核问题上看法和立场高度一致，都希望有关各方保持理性和克制，加强对话协商，为当前紧张局势降温。中俄双方将保持密切协作，推动相关形势朝着好的方向发展，维护联合国权威，维护国际和平和安全，维护国际社会共同利益。中方也会继续坚定维护自身正当合法权益。