[Opening of the 8th China-Russia Energy Business Forum, Ding Xuexiang read President Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter and delivered a speech] On September 4, local time, Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended the opening ceremony of the 8th China-Russia Energy Business Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, read out President Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter and delivered a speech. Ding Xuexiang said that energy cooperation is an important cornerstone of pragmatic cooperation between China and Russia. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, the China-Russia comprehensive energy cooperative partnership has maintained high-level development. Since the beginning of this year, energy trade between the two countries has continued to grow steadily, major projects have been steadily advanced as planned, cooperation areas have been actively expanded, and a series of new practical cooperation results have been achieved. Ding Xuexiang said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Good-Neighborly and Friendly Cooperation Treaty. Over the past 30 years, China-Russia energy cooperation has developed from a single crude oil trade to collaboration across the entire industrial chain, becoming the most important, most fruitful and widest area of ​​practical cooperation between the two countries. Looking back on the extraordinary history of China-Russia energy cooperation, especially the great achievements made since the new era, there are many valuable experiences that deserve to be deeply summarized and carried forward. He put forward three points of experience and opinions: First, the leadership of the head of state is the greatest advantage of the development of China-Russia comprehensive energy cooperative partnership. President Xi Jinping and President Putin jointly made top-level designs for the development of China-Russia relations and energy cooperation between the two countries, and continued to inject strong strategic focus and provide strong political guarantees. The two sides should continue to deepen political mutual trust, strengthen strategic communication, continue to expand practical cooperation, and continuously consolidate and deepen the all-round, wide-ranging and in-depth energy cooperation pattern under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state. Second, mutual benefit and win-win results are the fundamental driving force for China-Russia energy cooperation. China and Russia adhere to equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation, and have established a cooperation model that takes into account the interests of both parties. Cooperation in energy resources and technological innovation has effectively promoted the economic development and improvement of people's livelihood in both countries. The two sides should further tap the potential for cooperation, actively expand application scenarios, continue to create new growth points for energy cooperation, and better serve the economic and social development of the two countries. Third, jointly addressing challenges is a distinctive feature of China-Russia energy cooperation. In recent years, the international situation has been complex and ever-changing, and geopolitical conflicts have occurred frequently. China and Russia have strengthened communication and consultation, continued to deepen and expand oil and gas cooperation, and played an important role in promoting the smooth operation of the global energy market. Both parties should continue to rely on various cooperation mechanisms and platforms to properly respond to risks and challenges and ensure the stability and smoothness of the energy industry chain and supply chain. Let’s jointly practice true multilateralism and promote the construction of an energy governance system that is fair, just, balanced and beneficial to all, open and inclusive. Sechin, Secretary General of the Russian Presidential Committee on Energy Development Strategy and Ecological Security and President of Rosneft, read President Putin’s congratulatory letter and delivered a speech. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Novak delivered a speech. During the forum, Ding Xuexiang and Sechin exchanged views on deepening China-Russia energy cooperation. About 400 people, including Chinese and Russian government officials and representatives of oil and gas companies, attended the forum. (Xinhua News Agency)