Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping began talks in Beijing, with Putin, at the opening of the official discussions in the Great Hall of the People, referring to his counterpart as a “dear friend” and emphasising that Russia-China relations have reached an unprecedented level, describing them as a model of “genuine comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction.”
Putin opened with a Chinese proverb: “In China they say: ‘We haven’t seen each other for a day, yet it feels as if three autumns have passed,'” as reported by RIA Novosti. Putin stated that trade between Russia and China has grown 30-fold over 25 years, repeatedly surpassing the $200 billion mark in recent years. He also noted that the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation, signed 25 years ago, remains the cornerstone for developing cooperation across all areas and is “fully relevant” to this day.
Putin announced that Russia and China will extend the visa-free regime for citizens of both countries, crediting Xi with the initiative for the reciprocal arrangement. On energy, Putin said that amid the Middle East crisis, Russia continues to maintain its role as a reliable supplier of resources, with China acting as a responsible consumer. “We Defend Cultural and Civilisational Diversity”Putin added that Russia and China are working together toward building a more democratic world order, defending cultural and civilisational diversity, respecting the sovereign development of states, and strengthening cooperation within the UN, BRICS, the G20, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Putin also confirmed his readiness to attend the APEC summit in Shenzhen this coming November, and invited Xi Jinping to visit Russia in 2027.
Xi Jinping: China and Russia Must Build a Fairer Global Governance System
Chinese President Xi Jinping, for his part, stated that China and Russia, as major global powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, must build a fairer and more rational system of global governance, stressing that their relations — based on mutual respect and cooperation — bring predictability and stability to a chaotic world.
Xi referred to Putin as a long-standing friend and described how the two countries have jointly steered their relationship over the years, built on mutual respect, fairness, and mutual benefit.
He assessed that “in the chaotic international situation, divisions, unilateralism and hegemony are evident,” but that “the aspiration for peace, development and cooperation remains the people’s desire and the spirit of the times.”
“The World Faces the Danger of Returning to the Law of the Jungle”
Xi warned that the world is facing the danger of reverting to the law of the jungle, and in this context, the value of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation is becoming ever more apparent. (faktor)
Xi also called for an urgent and complete cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, stating that a resumption of conflict is unacceptable and that a commitment to negotiations is especially important.
The Delegations
Putin arrived in China on the evening of May 19 for a two-day official visit and was welcomed with a ceremonial cannon salute at Tiananmen Square. The two leaders first held a private meeting to discuss the most important and sensitive items on the bilateral agenda, before the talks expanded to include full delegations from both sides.
The Russian delegation included Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, several deputy prime ministers, as well as the heads of Rosneft and Gazprom, Igor Sechin and Alexei Miller, and Deputy Defence Minister Vasily Osmakov, among others.
