BRI has bolstered China-Russia relations

The Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI, has significantly expanded the China-Russia cooperation, and it has facilitated the alignment of development strategies between the two countries raising bilateral relations to a higher level, said Li Hui, Chinese ambassador to Russia.

The diplomat made the remark in an interview with China Daily ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's trip to China for the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation slated for April 25 to 27 in Beijing.

Putin's participation in both the first and second forums demonstrates that the China-Russia ties are special, Li said. The first forum took place two years ago in Beijing.