President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Peng Pai, good afternoon.
Peng Pai: Good afternoon, Mr President.
Vladimir Putin: It is lovely to see you. First of all, I want to thank the journalists who managed to track you down. To be honest, this meeting comes as a huge surprise to me – a very pleasant one, I should say.
I watched the footage of our previous meeting, that chance encounter all those years ago, and it brought back memories. It was quite moving. I was especially pleased to hear that you later decided to study in Russia and ended up in Moscow.
If I am not mistaken, you are from southern China. Moscow is not exactly known for its warm weather, but I hope you found a welcoming and friendly environment there – a warm atmosphere, if not a warm climate.
Peng Pai: Thank you.
(Retranslated.)
For me too, this is a huge surprise that after 26 years, I have the chance to see you again. To be honest, I feel like I am in a dream. It is stranger than science fiction.
While I was studying in Russia, I received a lot of warmth from my professors and fellow students. I also gained a great deal of professional knowledge and came to appreciate Russia’s rigorous scientific approach to education. I brought all of that back with me from Russia to China and took a job at a construction company in Hunan Province. Since then, I have worked on a number of infrastructure projects here, putting into practice the knowledge and skills I acquired in Russia.
Even though I grew up in China, a very big part of my life was shaped in Russia. You could really say that Moscow is my second home.
Vladimir Putin: That is wonderful to hear. Are you originally from the same province where you are now working?
Peng Pai: Yes, I was born in Hunan, and I went back there after I left Moscow.
Vladimir Putin: Yes, as we say, “serve the land that raised you.” That says a lot. As I recall, it is also the birthplace of the founder of the modern Chinese state, Mao Zedong. In 1972 – specifically on May 20 – he called on the whole world to fight against American imperialism.
That said, our meeting today falls on a momentous date, but our friendship with China is not directed against anyone. We are not fighting anyone. We are simply pursuing our own interests and following our own development path. What is more, we are ready to cooperate with everyone, with all our global partners, including the United States.
Today we discussed this with President Xi Jinping. I am very pleased to see that, having received your education in Russia, you are successfully building your professional career in your home country under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party of China. China is developing confidently and maintaining a strong pace of progress. This policy provides both political and economic stability, which is an essential foundation for sustainable national development.
When such stability exists, we often take it for granted, assuming it has always been present and will continue indefinitely. Yet it is only when challenges emerge in these areas that we fully recognise its importance. Stability creates the conditions necessary to improve living standards, expand educational opportunities, and foster the long-term development of the people.
Together with President Xi Jinping, we have just launched the Russia–China Cross Years of Education, and I am especially pleased to know that your professional achievements in China are connected to the education you received in Russia. This meeting was unexpected for me, but an especially pleasant one.
Peng Pai: This is the most valuable base I gained in Russia.
Vladimir Putin: I wish you every success.
Peng Pai: I would also like to wish you good health.
Vladimir Putin: Please come to Russia again.
Peng Pai: I certainly will.
Vladimir Putin: If you have any questions, please go ahead.
Peng Pai: I sincerely hope our meetings will continue and that there will be new opportunities for them, as well as to strengthen ties between Russia and China. I also hope Chinese companies will continue to participate actively in Russia’s development. I know that our companies are already involved in the construction of the Moscow metro.
Vladimir Putin: Excellent. We will continue. There remains tremendous potential for mutual cooperation and for the continued contribution of Russian-Chinese relations to the development and prosperity of our countries.
Peng Pai: Thank you.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much. I wish you success.