Russian prime minister said meeting opened a new chapter for relations

The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was a significant event that set out the blueprint for China's future development and has greatly enhanced relations between China and Russia, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday.

"Russia has paid close attention to the progress of 19th CPC National Congress and its outcomes. Russia and China share a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, and our party-to-party exchanges are smooth and sound," he said.

Medvedev added that in his capacity as chairman of the United Russia Party, he sent his congratulations to Xi Jinping on his re-election as general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Medvedev said the relationship between Russia and China is also based on party-to-party relations between the United Russia Party and the CPC.

The Russian prime minister made the remarks during a one-hour live interview in Beijing at people.com.cn on Tuesday afternoon, during which he took questions from Chinese internet users.

"We noticed that the 19th National Congress of the CPC has come out with a series of important decisions that are of great strategic importance. We look forward to seeing these outcomes implemented," he said. "The meeting has opened a new chapter for developing our bilateral relations, and we feel strongly encouraged."

Medvedev started his three-day visit to China on Tuesday. He met Premier Li Keqiang later on Tuesday and will meet with President Xi Jinping on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, Li and Medvedev will hold the 22nd regular meeting between Chinese and Russian prime ministers, and will jointly attend the closing ceremony of the year of China-Russia media exchanges.

During the interview on Tuesday, Medvedev said the number of Chinese tourists visiting Russia has been on the rise in recent years, adding that the number increased by 20 percent in the first half of 2017. He said Russia is working on more convenient visa policies for Chinese tourists.

"Currently, Chinese tourist groups of at least five people can visit Russia for up to two weeks without requiring a visa. We are currently in the process of amending this policy to offer visa-free travel to Chinese tourist groups of at least three people, and expanding the possible length of stay up to three weeks," he said.

He also answered the Chinese audience's questions on preparations for the World Cup finals, which will take place in Russia in 2018.

Describing himself as "a regular guest to China", Medvedev has visited the nation many times. He has an interest in Chinese traditional culture, such as Taoism, and has encouraged Russian people to learn Chinese on a variety of occasions.

Medvedev has met Xi five times in the past five years, and in those meetings they stressed the importance of the bilateral friendship and enhancing pragmatic cooperation to bring true benefits to the peoples of both countries, and maintaining world peace and stability.