Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed all areas of bilateral relations between Moscow and Beijing during their meeting in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"Exchanged views on regional issues," Peskov said, adding that the presidents discussed "all areas" of relations.
In a meeting with Xi, Putin said that Moscow sees positive dynamics in the Russia-China trade in the first half of this year.
"Trade is growing. We noted this during my visit to the People's Republic of China, and now we can state it once again. In the first six months of this year, we have seen positive dynamics," Putin said, adding that the countries are "consistently implementing" a plan to develop economic cooperation until 2030.
Relations between Russia and China are built on "mutual benefit and respect for sovereignty, Putin added.
The Russian president went on to say that the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a pillar of a just world order has strengthened today.
"With the expansion of the number of participants, and tomorrow Belarus will become another full member of the organization, the organization has strengthened its role as one of the key pillars of a just multipolar world order," Putin said, adding that Russia will support China’s chairmanship in the SCO in 2024-2025.
Putin mentioned that Russia holds chairmanship in BRICS this year.
"We look forward to the participation of our colleagues and to your [Xi] participation in the [BRICS] summit in Kazan this October," the Russian leader said.
Meanwhile, China supports admitting Kazakhstan to BRICS's mechanism of cooperation with third countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said after a meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
"China supports Kazakhstan's joining the BRICS cooperation mechanism," Xi was quoted by Chinese news agency Xinhua as saying after the meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's top-level summit in Astana, Kazakhstan's capital.
China and Kazakhstan share a friendly relationship which, despite the international situation, offers room for cooperation in areas of common interest, the Chinese leader also said.
BRICS was established as a cooperation platform for the largest emerging economies, uniting Brazil, Russia, India, and China since 2009 and South Africa since 2010. Russia assumed the bloc's rotating presidency on January 1. On the same day, BRICS expanded its membership to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has not formalized its participation but has been taking part in BRICS meetings.