Media statement following Russia-China talks
May 16,
President of China Xi Jinping (retranslated): President Putin,
Members of the media, good afternoon.
I am very pleased to join you together with President Putin. He chose China for his first foreign state visit after starting his new presidential term, which offers convincing proof of the attention Mr Putin and Russia attach to their relations with China. I cannot but welcome this attitude and would like to extend my heartfelt greetings to President Putin.
Mr Putin and I have just held frank, friendly and meaningful talks to review our achievements in promoting bilateral ties over the past 75 years, since our two countries established diplomatic relations. We also had a detailed exchange of opinions on the bilateral agenda and timely international and regional matters of mutual interest. Furthermore, we outlined our objectives and plans for further expanding China-Russia relations and our multifaceted cooperation.
We signed joint statements on enhancing the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation for a new era in the context of the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.
Several milestone intergovernmental and interagency documents were signed in our presence, giving a new powerful impetus to the steady advancement of China-Russia relations.
This year, we will be marking the 75th anniversary China-Russia diplomatic relations. We have overcome many challenges and forged even stronger ties over the past three quarters of a century. I must note that we have been continually enhancing out bilateral relations ever since they entered a new era, giving new substance to our cooperation. The idea of friendship has become deeply ingrained in our mindsets.
China and Russia have served as a role model by showing others ways of building state-to-state ties of a new kind and working together as two major neighbouring powers. Our commitment to the following five principles has made all of this possible.
The first principle involves demonstrating mutual respect and firm commitment to supporting each other on matters dealing with the core interests of both sides.
President Putin and I share the view that we have been able to develop a new model enabling neighbouring major powers to develop their relations based on the principles of respect and equality. We also demonstrate mutual and resolute support on matters dealing with the core interests of both parties and address each other’s current concerns. This is the main pillar of the Russia-China comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation for a new era. Our two countries are committed to acting in the spirit of non-alignment with any blocs, rejecting confrontation and refraining from targeting any third countries while demonstrating our steadfast commitment to confidence building measures on political matters, respecting the development trajectories we choose for ourselves and firmly supporting each other as we strive for shared prosperity and revival.
The second principle consists of promoting a win-win approach to shaping a new architecture of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Last year, trade between our countries increased by a factor of almost 2.7 compared to what we had ten years ago and exceeded $240 billion. This reflects our continuous effort to deepen comprehensive mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries. President Putin and I agreed that we must find common ground regarding the interests our countries pursue and exploit the advantages we have when working together on our shared interests and initiatives.
It is essential that we carry on with our efforts to streamline our cooperation and inject even more positive momentum in trade and other traditional domains of our cooperation. We must support networks promoting fundamental research, unleash our cooperation potential in high-technology sectors, step up our cooperation on border crossings, transport and logistics, and ensure the stable operation of global manufacturing and supply chains.
The third principle deals with maintaining our centuries-old friendly ties and passing on this friendship from one generation to another. China and Russia both pride themselves on their ancient history and outstanding cultures. People from average Chinese families read Pushkin’s and Tolstoi’s books, while traditional Chinese culture, including the Beijing opera and Tai chi, has been very popular among Russians.
Our countries have been steadily expanding their cultural and humanitarian ties lately as part of the China-Russia roadmap for humanitarian cooperation until 2030. President Putin and I decided to hold the Years of Chinese and Russian culture in 2024 and 2025 by organising a series of lively and spectacular cultural events for the general public in order to promote closer ties between our civil societies, as well as region-to-region ties as a way to bring our two nations closer together.
The fourth point is that we must act in the spirit of strategic cooperation to set various visions of global governance on the right track. China and Russia have been firmly advocating a UN-centred system of international relations and an international order based on international law. We have been coordinating our positions within multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, APEC and the G20 to promote the emergence of a multipolar world and economic globalisation based on genuine multilateralism.
We express our firm commitment to working together in the context of Russia’s BRICS chairmanship this year and when China assumes the SCO presidency in the second half of the year by forging a comprehensive, closely-knit, result-driven and inclusive high-level partnership for uniting the Global South and making it stronger.
The fifth principle deals with promoting a political settlement for hotspots in the interest of truth and justice. Today’s world is still plagued by Cold War mentality. Aspirations to securing a unilateral hegemony, bloc-based confrontation and power politics pose a direct threat to peace and security for all countries around the world.
President Putin and I discussed the need to achieve an immediate settlement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to resolve the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution and in keeping with the UN resolution.
China and Russia believe that the Ukraine crisis must be resolved by political means. China has been consistent and clear on this matter by advocating for compliance with the norms and principles set forth in the UN Charter, respecting state sovereignty and territorial integrity for all countries, while taking into consideration their reasonable security concerns. This approach aims to shape a new balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture.
China hopes that peace and stability will return to the European continent soon and is ready to constructively contribute to making this happen. As we say in China, tree bark forms by the accumulation of soil, while an accumulation of water creates oceans. It is thanks to their efforts over the past 75 years that China and Russia have been building upon their centuries-old friendship and comprehensive cooperation to generate powerful momentum, which enabled them to overcome all challenges and reach new heights.
Having reached a new threshold in the history of their relations, China and Russia will uphold their commitment to the primary goal of working for the benefit of the two nations and effectively contributing to promoting lasting peace and development across the planet with a sense of responsibility. Thank you.
Thank you for your attention.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: President Xi Jinping,
Friends, comrades,
Ladies and gentlemen,
First, I would like to express gratitude to the President of the People’s Republic of China and to all our Chinese colleagues for a warm welcome. As we walked to this hall, we exchanged views with President Xi. It is true that our Chinese friends have created both a friendly and warm environment and a pragmatic, business-like and constructive atmosphere that is good for working.
The talks we have just finished highlighted the great significance that Moscow and Beijing attach to the development and strengthening of comprehensive Russia-China partnership and strategic interaction. This partnership can certainly set an example of ties between neighbouring states.
The high standards and the special nature of Russia-China relations were reaffirmed when President Xi, as you remember and as he has mentioned just now, paid a state visit to Russia soon after his re-election as President of the People’s Republic of China in March 2023. It is logical that China is the first foreign country I have visited since assuming office as President of Russia.
There is certainly a degree of symbolism in this, but there is also more to it. These events have a practical content and are very useful, helping us to synchronise watches and move forward along the path we choose jointly with the President of the People’s Republic of China.
We maintain regular contact. Apart from holding regular bilateral summits, we also meet on the sidelines of multilateral events and have telephone conversations, so that we can discuss any, even the most difficult issues and personally oversee all the essential issues of the bilateral and international agenda.
I would like to emphasise that this state visit takes place in the year of the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Our country was the first to recognise the People’s Republic of China on October 2, 1949, the day after its declaration. We also provided substantial assistance to it at the initial stage of the development of its political system, state institutions and the economy. Our cooperation grew stronger and developed for decades after that. We have accumulated positive experience of a multifaceted and mutually beneficial partnership. Our shared baggage includes major achievements in widely different fields.
Today, President Xi Jinping and I discussed the current state and outlook for bilateral cooperation in a warm, friendly and constructive atmosphere. We noted with satisfaction the intensity of our dialogue on political and security matters, the growing pace of our economic exchanges, the expansion of our cultural contacts and our effective coordination on the international stage.
I want to note the significance of the Joint Statement we have adopted, which sets new objectives and long-term directives for advancing the entire spectrum of Russian-Chinese relations. The realisation of these goals will undoubtedly facilitate the implementation of an extensive array of intergovernmental, interdepartmental, and commercial agreements drafted for this visit.
Certainly, trade and investment interaction was a focal point during our talks, considering China’s prominent position as Russia’s leading foreign trade partner. Additionally, our country secured the fourth place in the export-import balance of the People’s Republic of China based on last year’s results.
In 2023, bilateral trade surged by a quarter, reaching a new milestone of $240 billion, as reported by Chinese statistics. While there may be a slight variance in figures, the overall total is entirely accurate.
I would particularly like to highlight the growth of Russian food exports to the Chinese market, which surged by more than 50 percent to $7.6 billion. Overall, bilateral trade in agricultural products grew by 40 percent, totalling $9.7 billion. There are strong indications that this trade segment will continue to expand further.
Investment cooperation is advancing dynamically, with the total volume of mutual investments on the rise. Currently, there are over 80 priority projects valued at approximately $200 billion in progress or in preparation for implementation through the respective intergovernmental commission.
The enhancement of trade and investment ties was greatly aided by the coordinated measures implemented to shift payments between our countries into national currencies. Currently, the ruble and yuan comprise over 90 percent of Russian-Chinese commercial transactions, with this proportion steadily increasing. This trend signifies that our mutual trade and investment are securely protected from the influence of third countries and adverse developments on global currency markets.
In light of this, we have agreed to further improve communication between credit and banking institutions of Russia and China, while actively employing national payment systems to support our economic operators.
Naturally, during the talks, extensive discussions were held on cooperation in the rapidly evolving energy sector. This domain remains one of our key priorities, and we have concrete plans to enhance cooperation in energy-related projects.
Energy cooperation between Russia and China extends beyond hydrocarbons to encompass the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Rosatom is building power units of Russian design at the Tianwan NPP and the Xudapu NPP in the People’s Republic of China. The commissioning of these units is poised to make a substantial contribution to China’s energy supply, providing affordable and clean energy to Chinese industries and households alike.
Furthermore, with Russia’s involvement, an experimental fast-neutron facility has been built in China, and work is underway on the construction of a new demonstration fast reactor.
With support from Chinese partners, the construction of the NICA accelerator complex is underway in Dubna, near Moscow, based on the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. Experiments conducted at this collider will pave the way for groundbreaking mega-science projects that surpass the capabilities of any single country in the world.
Regarding bilateral industrial cooperation, we are pleased to witness the proactive expansion of Chinese automakers and household appliance manufacturers in the Russian market. As discussed during our talks, and as the President said, we acknowledge the detrimental effect of any unlawful actions, sanctions, or restrictions. We wholeheartedly embrace collaboration with our Chinese counterparts in the automobile manufacturing sector, where they have demonstrated clear and undeniable successes and competitive advantages through fair competition. We look forward to further developing this cooperation.
Major joint projects are underway in non-ferrous metallurgy, chemical and pulp industries, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, space exploration, and various other high-tech sectors. Russia and China are jointly developing international transport and logistics corridors, harnessing the potential of the Trans-Siberian and Baikal-Amur railways, as well as the Northern Sea Route. Year by year, the volume of incoming cargo and passenger traffic is on the rise. To improve their efficiency, we are collaboratively enhancing the capacity of border crossings and expanding border infrastructure.
Russia and China are vigorously developing cultural and humanitarian cooperation. As previously mentioned, 2024 and2025 have been designated as cross years of culture in our countries. The official commencement will take place this evening. The programme for the cross years is comprehensive, encompassing a wide array of cultural events to be held in 38 cities across Russia and 51 cities in China. These events include festivals, fairs, theatre tours, ice shows, museum exhibitions, film screenings, and much more.
I want to highlight that in February, the Chinese New Year was officially celebrated in Moscow for the first time, with the support of the city mayor’s office. It’s worth noting that these vibrant festivities were conducted on a grand scale and were enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people.
Educational cooperation between our countries is also improving. Thousands and tens of thousands of Russian and Chinese citizens are pursuing education in China and Russia, respectively.
Tomorrow, we are scheduled to visit Harbin Institute of Technology, a prominent Chinese institution that has been engaged in successful collaboration with Bauman Moscow State Technical University since 2019. Additionally, in the near future, a Russian-Chinese training centre in natural sciences will open in Harbin, as part of a partnership between Harbin Institute of Technology and St Petersburg State University.
Mutual tourism is growing, largely thanks to both countries’ visa free regime for tourists. For example, 734,000 Russians visited China and 477,000 Chinese tourists visited Russia in 2023.
Our sports cooperation is on the rise. Chinese athletes demonstrated good achievements at the first international Games of the Future tournament held in Kazan in February and March 2024. The games, which are a new format of sports movement proposed by Russia, combine dynamic classical sports with cybersport.
Frankly, I can tell the audience that I never thought these games would grow to such proportions and would cause such big interest among young people. As you know, it was an interesting event, which hundreds of millions of people, by and large, watched in cyberspace. We hope that China will become an active partner and will host one of the forthcoming events of the Games of the Future.
We also look forward to seeing Chinese athletes at large sports events Russia will host in 2024, such as the BRICS Games, the Summer Children of Asia Games and the World Friendship Games.
Our talks have reaffirmed that Russia and China have similar or identical views on many international and regional issues.
Both countries have an independent and sovereign foreign policy. We are working together to create a fairer and more democratic multipolar world order based on the central role of the UN and its Security Council, international law, cultural and civilizational diversity, as well as a calibrated balance of interests of all members of the international community.
Acting from these positions, Russia and China are fruitfully working together in BRICS, where Russia is holding chairmanship this year, and in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the chairmanship of which China will take over in July. Of course, our countries are resolved to continue working to align integration processes underway within the framework of the EAEU with China's Belt and Road Initiative, with a view to ultimately creating a Greater Eurasian Partnership.
This is why our countries call for renovating global economic governance, for reforming and depoliticising multilateral institutes, such as the World Trade Organisation, G20 and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, and for adjusting them to modern realities.
We believe that it is necessary to create a reliable and appropriate security architecture in the Asia-Pacific Region, which has no place for closed military-political alliances. We believe that the creation of such alliances is extremely harmful and counterproductive.
We have agreed with President Xi Jinping to hold a detailed discussion of the entire range of foreign policy issues at an information meeting this evening. For my part, I will certainly update the President of the People’s Republic of China on the situation with the Ukraine crisis. We are grateful to our Chinese friends and colleagues for their initiatives on the settlement of that problem.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The agenda of this state visit is very intense. Today, I will attend several more events jointly with President Xi Jinping and hold a meeting with Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang. Tomorrow, the Russian delegation will visit Harbin to attend the opening ceremony of the 8th Russia-China Expo and the 4th Russian-Chinese Forum on Interregional Cooperation. In addition, we will meet with the students and faculty of the Harbin Institute of Technology.
Colleagues,
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to President Xi Jinping and all our Chinese colleagues for their hospitality. I believe that this visit and talks will help strengthen Russian-Chinese friendship and will boost the well-being and prosperity of our nations.
Thank you.