Xi and Putin sign statement to deepen China-Russia strategic ties

BEIJING- Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow has marked a significant advancement in the strategic partnership between their nations.

President Xi arrived in Russia on Wednesday for a four-day state visit and participation in the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War.
He held talks with Putin on Thursday morning local time in the Kremlin. 

“History and reality have fully demonstrated that the sustained development and deepening of China-Russia relations is a logical effort for keeping the long-standing friendship between the two peoples, a natural choice for helping each other succeed and achieve development and revitalization, and a response to the call of our times for upholding international fairness and justice and advancing the reform of the global governance system,” President Xi said in the meeting. 

He added, “This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese aggression, the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War, and the World Anti-Fascist War. Eighty years ago, the Chinese and Russian peoples made immense sacrifice and secured a great victory. Their pivotal contribution to world peace and human progress is a shining chapter in the annals of history.”

President Xi: The pivotal contribution of China and Russia to world peace and human progress is a shining chapter in the annals of history

The Chinese leader once again expressed support for promoting multilateralism and denounced unilateral actions. 

“Today, in the face of unilateralist countercurrents, bullying and acts of power politics, China is working with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities of major countries and permanent members of the UN Security Council with courage and conviction, uphold the correct historical perspective on WWII, safeguard the authority and standing of the UN, resolutely defend the rights and interests of China, Russia and all other developing countries, and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization,” he pointed out. 

Xi and Putin also attended a ceremony of signing and exchanging cooperation documents. They signed a joint statement on further deepening the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era and witnessed the exchange of over 20 bilateral cooperation documents.

Later on Thursday, the two presidents participated in a press conference. Putin told reporters that they held “traditionally warm, friendly” talks and addressed the Chinese leader as his “dear friend”.

The Chinese president is among more than 20 foreign leaders in Russia to attend a vast military parade on Friday marking 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

The meeting between Putin and Xi comes at a time that Western countries have intensified sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine war. 

President Donald Trump has also launched a trade war against China since assuming office in January. He has imposed tariffs of up to 145 percent on Chinese exports. China has hit back with 125 percent tariffs on US products. 

For now, the signing of over 20 bilateral cooperation agreements further strengthens their cooperation across various sectors, paving the way for enhanced economic, political, and cultural ties. In a time when both countries face external pressures, including economic sanctions and geopolitical challenges, this partnership represents a united front against the rise of unilateralism and a powerful assertion of their shared vision for a multipolar world. As major global powers, China and Russia are determined to safeguard their sovereignty and the rights of all developing nations, proving that collaboration between these two nations is essential for shaping a fairer, more inclusive global system.