On the afternoon of November 7, 2016 local time, Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of Russia jointly met the press in Constantine Palace, St. Petersburg, and answered questions.

Li Keqiang introduced outcomes of the 21st Regular Meeting between Chinese Premier and Russian Prime Minister and said that pragmatic cooperation between China and Russia should not only make breakthroughs in traditional fields including energy and large project cooperation, but also tap the huge potential of cooperation among small and medium-sized enterprises, facilitate innovation cooperation as well as promote employment growth. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Russia in the Far East area and in such fields as infrastructure, connectivity, deep processing of agricultural products and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Both sides are willing to further promote relevant financial cooperation on the basis of local currency settlement, and provide support for bilateral cooperation in various fields.

In response to journalists' questions, Li Keqiang pointed out that amid the sluggish recovery of the world economy and the slowing trade growth trend, China and Russia adhere to advancing trade liberalization and investment facilitation, and oppose all forms of trade and investment protectionism. Both sides propel economic globalization and regional economic integration in the principles of openness, inclusiveness and transparency, which is in line with the common and long-term interests of all parties. China is ready to continue to make joint efforts with all parties including Russia, to this end.

Dmitry Medvedev expressed that Russia-China relations and cooperation will stride towards broader prospects. The Russian side is willing to make new efforts with China to lift the level of cooperation in trade and investment, deepen major project cooperation in infrastructure, energy and other areas, carry out cooperation in small and medium-sized enterprises, finance and agriculture, actively expand new areas for bilateral cooperation as well as extend people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples. Attaching importance to the development and construction of the Far East area, Russia will take tangible measures to draw investment from China. Upholding the spirit of constructive strategic partnership, Russia and China will jointly push forward regional and international peace and development.

Before meeting the press, Li Keqiang and Dmitry Medvedev jointly signed the joint communiqué of this meeting, issued the Joint Declaration on Deepening Strategic Cooperation in Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy Between the Heads of Government of China and Russia as well as witnessed the signing of over 20 cooperation documents in such fields as economy, trade, investment, finance, civilian nuclear energy, high-tech, joint border inspection, education and culture between the governments and enterprises of both countries.

Vice Premier Liu Yandong and Vice Premier Wang Yang were present at above events.