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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Xi Jinping, dear friend. Colleagues.

During today’s expanded talks involving delegations, we will have an in-depth discussion of the practical aspects of our cooperation in various spheres.

As per tradition, the co-chairs of the five intergovernmental commissions from both sides will present their reports, and our foreign ministers will talk about cooperation in foreign policy.

But first, I would like to note that, just now, we have had a deep and substantive exchange of opinions on the main areas of development of the Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation in a limited attendance format, and also outlined long-term plans for further joint work.

It is important to note that Mr President and I share the view on the considerable progress achieved across the entire spectrum of our bilateral relations in recent years. Russia-China relations serve as a prime example of how interstate communication should be conducted in the 21st century — based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and respect for each party’s interests and sovereignty, and without being directed against any third party.

Our governments continue to coordinate closely and undertake systematic measures to enhance the financial and technological independence of our cooperation.

As I have mentioned, last year mutual trade set a new record: $244.9 billion. Of course, this is not the limit, and our daily work to preserve this positive trend and implement joint projects will continue. The portfolio of the intergovernmental investment commission already includes 86 projects worth more than $200 billion.

Today we will sign an updated version of the intergovernmental agreement on the promotion and mutual protection of investment, which, I believe, will have a positive impact on developing a more favourable business environment and enhancing our economic cooperation.

Our relations are driven by the energy sector. In 2024, Russia not only became the leading supplier of oil to China, but also ranked first in pipeline gas deliveries. Furthermore, we became the second-largest supplier of coal exports and ranked third in liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to the Chinese market.

Several new joint initiatives are underway, such as the Far Eastern Gas Route, scheduled to launch in 2027, which will ensure the annual delivery of up to 10 billion cubic metres of natural gas to Chinese consumers.

Russian-designed nuclear power plants are being constructed in China in line with agreed timelines. In recent years, the Russian-Chinese Energy Business Forum has become a key platform for advancing industry cooperation, the seventh forum set to take place in China later this year.

Comprehensive cooperation in industry and high technologies is also advancing. Russia has become the number one importer of Chinese cars in the world. We also welcome the launch of production facilities and the transfer of Chinese industrial competencies to our country.

Active mutual trade in agricultural products has become a key contributor to ensuring food security in Russia and China. On our part, we are ready to expand the range of Russian agricultural exports to the Chinese market. The tradition of hosting Made in Russia fairs across Chinese provinces has proven highly effective and continues to generate strong interest among the Chinese public. We are genuinely pleased by this response: these events resonate warmly with the people and integrate seamlessly into the broader social landscape.

In 2024, the volume of bilateral cargo operations via the border crossings and sea ports of Russia and China grew by nine percent, reaching nearly 176 million tonnes. We intend to further upgrade the transport infrastructure and transition our border checkpoints to a 24-hour schedule.

China remains a key partner for many Russian regions, particularly in the Russian Far East. Chinese businesses are currently involved in 63 investment projects in the priority development areas and the Free Port of Vladivostok. On our part, we will continue to foster comfortable conditions for Chinese enterprises in Russia.

Russia and China actively develop their humanitarian cooperation. The Cross-Years of Russian and Chinese Culture that Mr President and I launched last year in Beijing, are extremely popular, offering hundreds of events across Russian and Chinese cities. We are building up exchanges in research and sports, as well as student and youth exchanges. Our mutual tourist flow has exceeded 2.8 million people in 2024.

We are streamlining joint film production. My friend, President Xi Jinping, and I spoke about this in Kazan. I am pleased to note that the work continues. Last February, a Russian-Chinese film titled Red Silk successfully premiered in Russia, to a great audience response. I am convinced that there will be more joint film projects that will spark great interest in both Russian and Chinese viewers.

Following the talks, we will adopt an entire package of joint documents promoting cooperation in specific areas. The joint top-level statement, largely inspired by the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory and the strong bond between generations, will become the main final document. We can see this generational bond not only in the historical memory and patriotic education but also in the context of preventing the revival of Nazism and militarism, or the revision of the outcomes of World War II.

As we face a complicated geopolitical situation and global uncertainty, Russia-China ties remain a crucial stabilising factor on the international stage. We advocate together for a more just and democratic multipolar world order grounded in international law and the central role of the UN in global affairs.

Finally, I am convinced that our multidimensional cooperation will continue to develop rapidly for the benefit of our nations.

Thank you, and I would like to give the floor to the President of the People’s Republic of China.

President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping (retranslated): Thank you, Mr President.

I am very glad to visit Russia again at the invitation of President Putin in the context of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War, and the global victory of humankind against fascism. 

China’s and Russia’s people were fighting shoulder to shoulder 80 years ago on the Asian and European fronts of the war. Together, they defended peace and justice in the entire world, having created a grand epic of friendship and heroism. The Russia-China relations withstood hard tests over the past 80 years. Our friendship, bonded with blood and forged with fire, has been carried forward from generation to generation.

China-Russia ties have enjoyed stable, healthy and high-level development thanks to joint efforts from both sides. They are distinguished by long-term good-neighbourly friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation.

In face of unprecedented technological transformations, China and Russia have continuously deepened political mutual trust and strategic interaction, maintained close coordination and cooperation in international affairs, injecting valuable stability and positive energy into the changing and turbulent world and playing a meaningful constructive role.

For many years, China has been the main driver and stabiliser of the global economic growth. Comprehensive efforts are being taken to build a powerful state and achieve national revival along the path of China’s modernisation.

China and Russia, as global powers and permanent UN Security Council members, bear a special responsibility in today’s world: they must unwaveringly strengthen strategic partnership, jointly advancing a just and balanced multipolar world order and promoting an economic globalisation that is inclusive, equitable, and beneficial to all, as well as assert a multilateral trading system and keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded for the benefit of the national revitalisation of our countries and the cause of global justice. 

Thank you for your attention.

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