China's Belt and Road Initiative is perfectly compatible: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his annual press conference, reiterated that China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is perfectly compatible and can be included with the development of the Eurasian Economic Union and Russia's proposals on a broad partnership in Asia.

Underscoring the bilateral ties of the two countries, Putin stated that Russia and China will remain strategic partners in the long term irrespective of the result of the Russian presidential election, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

Russia's forthcoming election is due on March 18, 2018.

Putin stated, "I am fully convinced that the development of relations with China enjoys a national consensus in Russia, and irrespectively of the outcome of the (Russian presidential) election campaign, Russia and China will remain strategic partners for an extensive historic perspective."

China is Russia's major trade and economic partner and its strategic partner "in the broadest sense of this word," he said.

The 2017 press conference is Putin's 13th since he first became president in 2000. He traditionally responds to a broad range of questions on topics ranging from the economy and international relations to light queries about his personal tastes.

According to the reports, in December 2016, Putin answered 50 questions in an event that lasted three hours and 53 minutes. His longest appearance was four hours and 39 minutes in 2008.