In a significant diplomatic development, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to extend the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. Their meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People culminated in a joint commitment to bolster political trust, strategic alignment, and practical collaboration between the two nations amidst a rapidly changing international landscape. This meeting marked Putin’s 25th visit to China since assuming office and underscored the enduring strength of China-Russia relations. The two leaders also signed a joint statement aimed at enhancing their comprehensive strategic partnership and witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents across various sectors such as the economy, trade, education, and technology.
The discussions, which took place during Putin’s two-day state visit, emphasized the significance of the 30th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic partnership and the 25th anniversary of their Good-Neighborliness treaty, last extended in June 2021. Xi highlighted that the longstanding relationship between the two countries is characterized by non-alliance, non-confrontation, and a commitment not to target any third party. These principles have allowed China and Russia to contribute significantly to international fairness and justice, serving as a stabilizing force in a turbulent world. Xi called for continued support on issues of core interest, underscoring the need for close strategic communication and trust-building initiatives.
Economic ties have seen robust growth, with bilateral trade exceeding $200 billion over the past three years and a notable 20 percent increase in early 2026. Xi urged further alignment of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with Russia’s 2030 development strategy to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation. He also addressed global governance, asserting that China and Russia, as permanent UN Security Council members, must uphold international law and counter unilateral actions. Both nations aim to foster a more just global governance system, opposing efforts to undermine World War II outcomes and revive fascism.
Putin echoed these sentiments, expressing confidence in the future of Russia-China relations, which he described as unprecedented in their level and resilience. He emphasized their self-sufficiency, independent of the prevailing international situation, and highlighted the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties. Putin reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to working with China within international frameworks like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS to tackle pressing global challenges. Both leaders discussed key international issues, including the Middle East situation, with Xi advocating for the cessation of hostilities and continued negotiations to ensure regional stability and safeguard energy supplies.
In a gesture of goodwill, China announced the extension of its visa-free policy for Russians until the end of 2027, reciprocated by Russia for Chinese citizens. The talks concluded with a banquet hosted by Xi, celebrating the enduring partnership and setting the stage for further collaboration in trade, investment, energy, and cultural exchanges. The leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining their long-standing friendship and leveraging established cooperation mechanisms to drive national development and revitalization efforts, creating new growth engines in diverse sectors.