On the afternoon of February 8, 2024, as China is to usher in the Chinese New Year, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The two heads of state exchanged New Year greetings. Xi Jinping pointed out that with the Spring Festival approaching, China is immersed in a festive atmosphere, and the Chinese people are full of hope and confidence toward the coming Year of the Dragon. Extending his best wishes to the friendly Chinese people, President Vladimir Putin said that dragon symbolizes wisdom and strength in Chinese culture. He wishes the Chinese people happiness and success in all endeavors in the Year of the Dragon.

Xi Jinping pointed out that it has become a fine tradition for him and President Vladimir Putin to exchange greetings by the turn of the year to jointly review the achievements in the development of bilateral relations and look ahead to the future. Noting that he and President Vladimir Putin met twice and reached many important common understandings in the past year, Xi Jinping said that under their joint guidance, the governments, legislatures and political parties of the two countries have engaged in active exchanges, and bilateral cooperation in various fields has shown resilience and vitality. The two sides hit the annual target for bilateral trade ahead of schedule, while cultural and local exchanges between the two countries were vigorously carried out, and the Years of Sports Exchange were successfully concluded. Noting this year’s 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, Xi Jinping said that looking back on the journey, the two countries have weathered many storms and tests. Looking ahead, the China-Russia relationship faces new opportunities for development. China is ready to continue to uphold the spirit of mutual assistance and everlasting friendship with Russia to jointly write a new chapter in China-Russia relations.

Xi Jinping stressed that the two sides should strengthen strategic coordination, safeguard their respective national sovereignty, security and development interests, and resolutely oppose external interference in internal affairs. The two sides should cultivate new momentum for bilateral cooperation, keep industrial and supply chains stable, jointly host the China-Russia Years of Culture, hold down-to-earth and heartwarming cultural exchanges that connect the hearts of the two peoples, and constantly tighten the bonds between the two peoples. Both sides need to support Kazakhstan in holding a successful Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit this year, enhance solidarity and mutual trust, and safeguard regional security and stability as well as the common interests of regional countries. China actively supports Russia’s rotating BRICS presidency this year and stands ready to strengthen international multilateral coordination with Russia, practice true multilateralism, call for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and make the global governance system more just and reasonable, so as to make positive contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Vladimir Putin said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China. Thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, Russia-China relations have reached an unprecedented high level. Last year, Russia-China cooperation in various fields yielded fruitful results. He said he looks forward to continuing to maintain close exchanges with President Xi Jinping and leading the cooperation between the two countries in various fields to achieve new progress. He expressed the hope that the two sides will jointly host this year's Russia-China Years of Culture and a series of cultural and people-to-people exchanges to further consolidate the foundation of friendship between the two peoples. He thanked China for supporting Russia's rotating BRICS presidency this year, and said Russia is ready to strengthen communication and cooperation and support each other with China within regional and international multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to safeguard multilateralism and their respective legitimate interests. The Russian side firmly upholds the one-China principle, opposes any dangerous acts that provoke China on the Taiwan question, and believes that any attempt to impede China's peaceful reunification will fail.

The two heads of state also had an in-depth exchange of views on current international and regional hotspot issues. The two heads of state agreed to maintain close contact and have in-depth exchanges on China-Russia relations and strategic issues of mutual interest and concern in the new year.