On the afternoon of December 2, 2019, President Xi Jinping had a video call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia in Beijing, witnessing the launch ceremony of the China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline.

Vice Premier Han Zheng was present.

Xi Jinping exchanged greetings with Vladimir Putin who was in Sochi via the video call.

Xi Jinping extended warm congratulations on the launch of the pipeline and heartfelt gratitude for the builders from both countries. Xi Jinping pointed out, the east-route natural gas pipeline is a landmark project of China-Russia energy cooperation and a paradigm of deep convergence of both countries' interests and win-win cooperation. President Vladimir Putin and I witnessed the signing of cooperation documents of the project between our two sides in 2014. Over the five years, the construction units from both countries have intensified coordination, and the builders have completed the high-quality and high-standard construction task in frozen and snow-covered land, showing to the world their consummate skills and the fruitful results of China-Russia cooperation. The launch of the pipeline is not only an important result at the current stage but also a new start for future cooperation. Both sides should make the pipeline a safe and green pipeline of development and friendship, make all-out efforts to ensure the safe operation of the pipeline and boost the sustainable economic and social development of the regions along the pipeline.

Xi Jinping stressed, this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. President Vladimir Putin and I announced the development of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, and agreed to continue to prioritize the development of bilateral relations in our respective foreign policies and unswervingly deepen bilateral strategic coordination and cooperation in various areas. At present, both China and Russia are at the critical period in national development, and bilateral relations have entered a new era. It is hoped that both sides will redouble our efforts to initiate more key projects like the east-route natural gas pipeline, in a bid to boost both countries' development and better benefit both countries and the two peoples.

Vladimir Putin said, it is of great historical significance that the Russia-China east-route natural gas pipeline was launched on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Russia-China diplomatic relations, which will lift bilateral strategic coordination to a new level. Since President Xi Jinping and I witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements of the project in 2014, the construction teams from both countries worked hard under extreme weather and completed the construction on schedule. The Russian side will provide 1 trillion cubic meters of natural gas to the Chinese side in the next 30 years. This is conducive to the realization of a Russia-China trade volume of 200 billion US dollars in 2024. The Russian side stands ready to work with the Chinese side to ensure the smooth implementation of the landmark strategic project.

During the video call, Chinese and Russian representatives at Heihe, Atamanskaya and Chayandin along the pipeline reported in turn to the two heads of state that they were ready to receive or provide natural gas.

Vladimir Putin gave the go-ahead of "provide natural gas".

Xi Jinping gave the go-ahead of "receive natural gas".

All participants warmly applauded.

Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and others were present.

The China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline starts from Russia's East Siberia, and stretches across Blagoveshchensk to the Heihe River in China's Heilongjiang Province. The pipeline has a 3,000-km section in Russia, a 3,371-km newly-constructed stretch in China, and another 1,740-km existing section.