Editor's note: Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an interview to the leading Chinese media outlets in the runup to his visit to the People's Republic of China, where he will take part in the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting.

The APEC event will be held in Beijing soon. How does Russia estimate the role of this association? What does the Russian side expect from this meeting? In your opinion, how can Russia and China consolidate their cooperation within the framework of this forum, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region?

PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN: APEC's progressive development during a quarter of a century has persuasively demonstrated the relevance of this authoritative association format, a platform to agree upon common "rules of the game" in the trade and economic sphere in the Asia-Pacific region.