China’s President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have bolstered their relations during Putin’s state visit.
Both leaders attended a photo exhibition dubbed “China-Russia Everlasting Friendship: A Model of Major-Country Relations.”
According to a statement by Chinese Spokesperson Mao Ning, they recalled with pleasure the moments of friendly exchanges and cooperation between China and Russia in recent years. The two leaders noted that the great cause of China-Russia friendship is in line with the prevailing trend of history and of the times. “It is unbreakable, and will continue to steadily advance forward and write new, splendid chapters,” the statement noted.
Also, Xi and Putin jointly attended the opening ceremony of the China-Russia Years of Education. Xi pointed out that over the years, China-Russia cooperation in education has continued to deepen and yielded notable outcomes, enriching the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era. Taking the China-Russia Years of Education as an opportunity, the two sides should continue to build consensus on cooperation, expand areas of cooperation, and enhance the level of cooperation.
President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin jointly met the press after their talks.
Talks between Xi and Putin began with a shorter “narrow format meeting”, featuring fewer delegates to discuss sensitive issues. The leaders then held a “wide format meeting” with their delegations that ended at about 2pm local time.
Xi and Putin then attended a signing ceremony for numerous documents spanning technology, trade, scientific research, and intellectual property. Among the documents, according to Chinese state media, was an extension of the “China-Russia treaty of good neighbourliness and friendly cooperation,” first signed 25 years ago.
Speaking to the press, Xi stressed that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the China‑Russia strategic partnership of coordination. Over the past three decades, the China‑Russia relationship has been “growing in stature and now stands at the highest level in history” as a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era, setting a prime example of a new type of major‑country relationship.
This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good‑Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between China and Russia.
The statement noted that over the years, the two countries have always adhered to the treaty’s established principle of non‑alliance, non‑confrontation and not targeting any third party, and stayed committed to equality, mutual respect, good faith and win‑win cooperation, serving as a vital constant amid century‑defining changes sweeping across the world.
Xi stressed that China‑Russia relations have reached a new starting point, adding that the two sides should follow the trend of the times toward peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, and strive for higher‑quality development of bilateral ties.
“First, we should build higher‑quality political mutual trust and give each other firm strategic support. The two sides should further strengthen mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns. Second, we should empower higher‑quality mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly advance our two countries’ development and revitalization. The two sides should deepen the synergy between China’s 15th Five‑Year Plan for economic and social development and Russia’s development strategy through 2030.”
Xi Jinping
Xi added that higher‑quality people‑to‑people connectivity and strengthen the foundation of lasting friendship between the two nations should be promoted.
Xi Urges China, Russia To Pursue International Coordination
Moreover, Xi urged for the pursuit of higher‑quality international coordination to reform and improve global governance.
“As permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, China and Russia must work steadfastly as responsible major countries, safeguard the authority of the U.N. and international fairness and justice, oppose all unilateral acts of bullying and attempts to reverse the course of history, and especially oppose all provocative acts that deny the outcomes of the victory of World War II and attempt to justify and revive fascism and militarism.”
Xi Jinping
Xi’s sentiments echoed his opening remarks, in which he said the world was in danger of reverting back to the “law of the jungle.” He added that further hostilities in the Middle East were “inadvisable” and a “comprehensive ceasefire is of utmost urgency.”
Xi is scheduled to host Putin for tea in Zhongnanhai, the former imperial garden that now houses the Chinese Communist party’s headquarters. When the Chinese leader hosted his Russian counterpart in May 2024, the pair did the same.
China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi is also expected to hold talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. Reciprocal trade and investment are likely to be top of the agenda for Putin as his sanctions-hit economy suffers under the growing cost of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
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