In a significant diplomatic development, President Xi Jinping of China and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to extend the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. This decision, made during talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, aims to bolster political trust, strategic coordination, and practical cooperation between the two nations amid a volatile international landscape. The two leaders underscored their commitment by signing a joint statement to further enhance strategic coordination and deepen their bilateral relationship, marking Putin’s 25th visit to China since he first became president in 2000.
As they celebrated the 30th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of their treaty of good-neighborliness, the leaders witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents across various sectors, including the economy, trade, education, and science and technology. Additionally, they released a joint statement advocating for a multipolar world and new international relations. President Xi highlighted the historical achievements in the bilateral relationship, emphasizing that their ties have reached an unprecedented level, serving as a model for major-country relations.
Xi and Putin also addressed pressing global issues, reiterating their stance against unilateralism and hegemonism. They emphasized the importance of upholding the United Nations’ authority and international justice, opposing any attempts to revive fascism or militarism and promoting a more equitable global governance system. Xi called for both nations to seize historic opportunities to deepen trust and cooperation, focusing on national development goals and leveraging comprehensive cooperation mechanisms.
The two leaders addressed the economic achievements between their countries, noting that bilateral trade has consistently surpassed $200 billion over the past three years. Xi encouraged further alignment of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with Russia’s 2030 development strategy to upgrade mutually beneficial cooperation. He also advocated for expanding cooperation in trade, energy, transportation, and technological innovation to foster new growth engines and productivity.
During their discussions, Xi and Putin exchanged views on international and regional issues, including the Middle East situation. Xi urged for an immediate end to hostilities to stabilize energy supplies and maintain global trade order. Additionally, China announced an extension of its visa-free policy for Russian citizens until the end of 2027, with Russia reciprocating for Chinese citizens. The diplomatic engagement concluded with a banquet held in Putin’s honor at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.