Xi-Putin Talks: Agreement to Extend Friendship Treaty and Elevate Strategic Cooperation to a New Height

Beijing — Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks on Wednesday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two sides agreed to further extend the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia.

Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral friendship treaty, President Xi said that today’s relationship has become possible because the two countries have, with unwavering determination, continuously deepened political mutual trust and strategic coordination. He added that both countries have steadfastly upheld international fairness and justice and advanced the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

“As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major countries of global importance, China and Russia should take a strategic and long-term perspective, promote the development and revitalization of their respective countries through higher-quality comprehensive strategic coordination, and work to make the global governance system more just and reasonable,” President Xi said.

President Xi noted that the two countries have developed a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era on the basis of equality, mutual respect, good-neighborliness and win-win cooperation. He said political mutual trust has grown deeper, while cooperation has continued to advance in trade, the economy, investment, energy, science and technology, people-to-people exchanges and subnational interactions. He stated that China-Russia relations have entered a new stage of major achievements and rapid development.

Promoting the long-term, sound, stable and high-quality development of China-Russia relations is a strategic choice based on the fundamental interests of the two countries and the broader global trend, President Xi said. He urged both sides to remain focused on their goals of national development and revitalization, make full use of their broad and well-established cooperation mechanisms, and upgrade practical cooperation in trade and investment, energy and resources, transportation, and scientific and technological innovation. He also called for exploring cooperation in forward-looking fields to build new engines of development through new quality productive forces.

Emphasizing the need to carry forward the long-standing friendship, President Xi called for stronger exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, film, tourism and sports. He also urged both sides to make coordination and cooperation more effective on platforms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS and APEC. He further called for firmly safeguarding the post-war international order and the authority of international law, uniting the Global South, and guiding the reform of the global governance system in the right direction.

President Putin said that, through the joint efforts of both sides, Russia-China relations have reached an unprecedented level, with close high-level exchanges and strong political mutual trust. He noted that bilateral trade has grown steadily, energy supply and demand remain mutually beneficial, cooperation in transportation, logistics, science and technology and other fields has continued to deepen, and people-to-people exchanges have maintained positive momentum. Putin said Russia-China relations have become stronger through trials and over time, serving as a model of comprehensive strategic coordination.

Stating that the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation has become even more relevant under current circumstances, Putin said Russia is ready to work with China, in the spirit of the treaty, to strengthen strategic coordination and practical cooperation and raise bilateral relations to a higher level. He said Russia-China cooperation is an important stabilizing factor in an unstable international environment. He also expressed Russia’s support for China in successfully hosting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, enhancing the status and influence of the SCO, strengthening unity and coordination within the BRICS mechanism, safeguarding the authority of the United Nations, upholding the diversity of civilizations, and promoting a more just and equitable international order.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and other major international and regional issues. They heard reports on progress in cooperation in areas including investment, energy, the economy and trade, while the foreign ministers of the two countries briefed them on China-Russia coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs.

Following the talks, the two presidents signed and issued a joint statement on further promoting comprehensive strategic coordination and deepening good-neighborliness and friendly cooperation between the two countries. They also witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents in areas including economy and trade, education, science and technology.

During Putin’s visit, China and Russia also issued a joint statement on promoting a multipolar world and a new type of international relations. The two sides also reached 20 cooperation agreements in other fields. After the talks, President Xi and President Putin jointly addressed the press.

Earlier, President Xi hosted a welcome ceremony for President Putin outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People, featuring a military band performance, a 21-gun salute and a march-past by the guard of honor.