Putin Says Russia-China Relations Have Reached a Truly Unprecedented Level, Standing for World Peace Without Forming Alliances Against Anyone

Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia-China relations have reached a “truly unprecedented level.” In a video address released on Tuesday ahead of his state visit to China, he said the special nature of relations between the two countries is reflected in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust, a commitment to win-win and equal cooperation, respectful dialogue, and mutual support on issues related to the core interests of both countries, including the protection of sovereignty and state unity.

Putin recalled that 25 years ago Russia and China signed the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, saying that the treaty laid a strong foundation for truly strategic relations and a comprehensive partnership in the interests of the two countries and their peoples. “Regular mutual visits and high-level Russia-China negotiations are an important and integral part of our joint efforts to advance the entire range of relations between our two countries and unlock their truly boundless potential,” he said.

Putin said Russia and China are actively expanding contacts in politics, the economy and other fields, while broadening humanitarian exchanges and encouraging people-to-people interaction. He noted that these very issues would shape the agenda of the upcoming talks in Beijing. Expressing deep appreciation for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s commitment to long-term cooperation with Russia, Putin said, “I am confident that our warm and friendly relations enable us to make the boldest plans for the future and bring them to life.”

Noting that trade between the two countries has continued to grow and has already crossed the 200-billion-U.S.-dollar mark, Putin said mutual transactions are now conducted almost entirely in rubles and yuan. He said major initiatives are under way in key areas of bilateral cooperation, adding that after the successful Russia-China Year of Culture, the Russia-China Year of Education began in January, marking the 10th edition of such bilateral projects in the humanitarian sphere.

Putin said Russia holds in high regard China’s centuries-old history and culture, as well as its achievements in art and science. He welcomed the mutual visa-free regime introduced between the two countries, saying it has facilitated large-scale business and tourism exchanges and created new opportunities for communication and personal contacts between Russian and Chinese citizens.

Putin stressed that the close strategic relationship between Russia and China plays a major stabilizing role globally. “Without forming alliances against anyone, we seek peace and sovereign prosperity,” he said. “It is in this spirit that Moscow and Beijing work in a coordinated manner to defend international law and the provisions of the United Nations Charter in their entirety, completeness and interconnectedness.”

Putin said that, by supporting active cooperation through the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS and other multilateral bodies, the two countries are making a concrete contribution to addressing pressing global and regional challenges. He expressed confidence that every effort would continue to be made to deepen the Russia-China partnership and good-neighborliness in the interests of the dynamic development of both countries, the well-being of their peoples, and the maintenance of global security and stability. Putin is on a state visit to China from May 19 to 20 at the invitation of President Xi.