Putin hails booming Russia-China ties during Beijing talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia and China have developed relations at an “unprecedentedly high level” during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday, highlighting rapid growth in bilateral trade, energy cooperation and diplomatic coordination amid ongoing global instability.

Trade and energy cooperation expand

Opening negotiations at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Putin described Xi as a “dear friend” and emphasized that relations between the two neighboring powers now serve as a model of strategic partnership. He said trade between Russia and China has increased more than thirtyfold over the past 25 years, consistently surpassing $200 billion annually in recent years.

The Russian leader stressed that energy remains the backbone of economic cooperation between the two countries. According to Putin, Moscow continues to be a reliable supplier of oil and natural resources to China despite geopolitical tensions linked to the Ukraine war and instability in the Middle East.

Delegations focus on economic agenda

Putin arrived in Beijing with a large delegation that included senior government officials, business executives and representatives from educational institutions. He said the discussions would initially focus on trade, industry, transportation, agriculture and high technology before broader delegation-level negotiations begin.

The visit coincides with the anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation signed by Moscow and Beijing in 2001. Putin described the agreement as a cornerstone of modern Russia-China relations and said it continues to shape cooperation across political and economic sectors.

Growing coordination on global issues

The Russian president also highlighted expanding coordination with China in international organizations including the United Nations, BRICS, the G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. He argued that Moscow and Beijing support a more balanced international order based on sovereignty and cultural diversity.

“Amid the current tense international situation, our close partnership is particularly vital,” Putin said during the meeting with Xi.

He additionally praised the introduction of visa-free travel arrangements between the two countries, saying the measure strengthened cultural and humanitarian ties. Education cooperation is also expected to deepen through the launch of the Russia-China Years of Education 2026-2027 initiative.

Future summits planned

Putin confirmed that Russia supports China’s presidency of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and said he plans to attend the 2026 APEC Summit in Shenzhen later this year. He also invited Xi to visit Russia next year as both governments continue strengthening diplomatic and economic engagement across Eurasia, including markets important for countries.