Chinese, Russian Presidents Agree to ‘Deepen’ China-Russia Ties

Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a joint statement “further deepening” their partnership following talks in Moscow on Thursday, 9 May 2025.

The move indicates a show of solidarity in the face of global uncertainties unleashed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” diplomacy, according to a CNN report.

Seated together in an ornate room in the Kremlin following roughly four hours of talks, the two leaders signed what Chinese state media said was a “joint statement on further deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.” 

In remarks afterward, both Presidents looked to frame their relationship as a key force for defending and improving the world order.

“In today’s challenging geopolitical situation and global uncertainty, the Russia-China foreign policy partnership is a key stabilising factor on the international stage,” President Putin said, according to a Kremlin readout. “Together, we defend the formation of a more just and democratic multipolar world order.”

Speaking after the Russian President, President Xi described the two countries as “stable, positive, and progressive forces in the international community” and called for them to work together to “lead global governance in the right direction, and promote inclusive economic globalisation that benefits all.”

Earlier in the day, President Xi employed language typically used by Beijing to criticise Washington, saying Russia and China had “special responsibilities” in the face of “an international countercurrent of unilateralism and the hegemonic practices of the powerful.”

President Xi arrived last Wednesday for a four-day state visit to Russia, topping a list of foreign leaders attending President Putin’s commemoration of Victory Day military parade. This year’s events mark 80 years since the Allied victory over Nazi Germany, which ended World War II.

The visit takes place amid uncertainty for countries around the world as the Trump administration upends traditional U.S. foreign policy, while China and Russia – who have significantly tightened their ties in recent years – have both also seen substantial changes in their respective relationships with Washington.

Ahead of President Xi’s arrival, President Putin referred to him as his “main guest” at the Victory Day events. The Russian leader on Thursday morning welcomed President Xi with ceremony to the Kremlin.

During opening remarks, each referred to the other as a “friend,” while Xi described their relationship as “composed and confident, stable and resilient.”

The two leaders have met more than 40 times over the past decade as they steadily strengthened their partnership in recent years in the face of shared tensions with the West.

President Putin said the two leaders had in Thursday’s joint statement set out “ambitious goals,” highlighting their deepening economic and technological ties and plans to ensure “significant qualitative advancement of Russian-Chinese trade and investment by 2030.”

“Daily work continues to maintain positive trade dynamics,” Putin said, adding that Russia has become the world’s leading importer of Chinese automobiles. “At the same time, we welcome the establishment of manufacturing and the transfer of Chinese industrial expertise to our country,” he said.

Last year, the two nations' trade hit a record high as China became Russia's main source of economic support. However, since President Trump imposed high tariffs on Chinese goods entering the U.S., Chinese exporters have scrambled to develop their company in other areas, making the Russian market even more crucial.

President Xi said the two countries’ pact “injected new momentum into the development of China-Russia relations” and praised the “leap forward” in those relations over the past decade, despite “great turbulence and changes in the international situation.”

As they concluded talks, the two sides also signed over 20 documents, covering areas such as global stability, maintaining the authority of international law, biosecurity, investment protection, digital economy, quarantine inspection, and film cooperation.



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