Russia and China have issued a joint communique outlining the expansion of their bilateral relations after a meeting between Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang, in Hangzhou. Signed during Mishustin’s visit to China, the document pledges increased cooperation across a range of sectors, including science, technology, agriculture, trade and artificial intelligence. Both nations agreed to provide mutual support on core interests, respond jointly to external challenges, deepen cultural exchanges, promote visa‑free travel, and enhance cooperation in tourism and border‑city development. They also plan to collaborate on space exploration and work toward peace and stability in the Arctic region.
Russia reaffirmed its commitment to the One‑China policy, recognizing Taiwan as an integral part of China and supporting Beijing’s national reunification efforts. In return, China backed Russia’s efforts to safeguard its security, stability and sovereignty. The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS and the United Nations, aiming to counter the “politicization” of international bodies and promote a more equitable, multipolar world. This reflects their growing alignment as advocates for a balanced global power structure rather than one dominated by the United States and its allies.
China has refused to support Western sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine conflict, instead expanding trade ties with Moscow. Bilateral trade between the two nations nearly doubled from 2020 to 2024, reaching over $240 billion last year, according to Chinese customs data. They have also reduced reliance on the US dollar, with 99.1 % of settlements now conducted in their national currencies. Earlier, China proposed a 12‑point plan for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict, which Moscow praised as a reasonable approach to ending the hostilities.
The strengthening of Russia‑China relations comes as both countries navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, with significant implications for international relations, trade and security.
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