China pledges broader ties with Russia in 2018

BEIJING, Dec 31 (Agencies): Chinese President Xi Jinping said Sunday he is ready to join his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in consolidating political and strategic mutual trust and expanding bilateral all-around pragmatic cooperation.
Xi made the pledge in his New Year greeting message to Putin.
Meanwhile, Li Keqiang also exchanged New Year greetings with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Sunday, and both praised the development of bilateral cooperation.
In his message, Li noted that with the successful conclusion of the 22nd regular meeting between the heads of government of China and Russia in November, the two sides have reached crucial consensus on promoting bilateral all-around pragmatic cooperation, and deepened the integration of interests.
Li expressed his willingness to make joint efforts with Medvedev in the coming New Year to further promote China-Russia multi-faceted cooperation so as to bear new fruits.
For his part, Medvedev said the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has developed at an unprecedented high level, and major cooperation projects have been under smooth implementation.
Medvedev said he believes bilateral cooperation in key areas will undoubtedly see new results in the coming new year.
Another report adds: Turkey on Sunday is to see in the New Year with muted celebrations and amid the tightest security, under the shadow of the terror attack one year ago on an elite Istanbul nightclub that left 39 dead.
An Uzbek gunman, just 45 minutes into 2017, ran amok with a Kalashnikov at the Reina nightclub on the Bosphorus, killing indiscriminately and later slipping away in a taxi.
The attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State extremist group, was another body blow to Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a year of terror attacks by jihadists and Kurdish rebels as well as the failed coup.
However there has been no major attack in Turkey since the Reina murders, and security forces this year appear to be taking every possible precaution to ensure that this New Year passes without incident.
However, celebrations will be held across Taiwan on New Year's eve, but with less fireworks amid air pollution concerns.
One of the most famous celebrations on the island is the New Year's eve firework show and countdown party at the Taipei 101 skyscraper, a landmark of the city.
The show was first launched in 2004 and is the climax of New Year celebrations in Taipei, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year.