Putin and Xi highlight 25 years of Russia-China partnership, boosting trade, energy, education, and diplomacy amid global turbulence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a video conference this Wednesday, February 4, reaffirming their “exemplary cooperation” amidst a complex global geopolitical landscape and emphasizing the strength of their strategic cooperation.

RELATED: China and Uruguay Deepen Strategic Partnership and Multilateral Coordination

The Russian Head of State declared that the comprehensive partnership between Russia and China are “exemplary”, noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of their good-neighborly, friendship, and cooperation treaty.

“In the context of growing turbulence in the world, foreign policy cooperation between Moscow and Beijing remains an important stabilizing factor”, said Putin at the beginning of the conversation broadcast on television.

He asserted during the video conference its continued implementation undoubtedly serves the fundamental interests of both peoples and pointed out that bilateral trade surpassed $200 billion for the third consecutive year, with Russia remaining the primary supplier of energy resources to the Asian giant.

Strong Economic Ties

“We maintain an active dialogue in the field of peaceful atomic energy and promote high-tech projects, including in industry and space research”, Putin stated, adding that agricultural trade, according to Russian data, has grown by more than 20%, highlighting the robust relations between the two nations.

Cultural exchanges have also thrived, with over 400 events enjoying a strong reception. Educational cooperation continues robustly, with over 56,000 Chinese students in Russia and more than 21,000 Russian students in China, alongside numerous ongoing educational partnerships.

Last year, Putin visited Beijing from August 31 to September 3 at Xi’s invitation, where 22 documents were signed, covering cooperation in energy, aerospace, artificial intelligence, agriculture, health, science, education, and media.

In December, the Russian President formalized a reciprocal visa exemption, allowing Chinese citizens to travel to Russia visa-free for up to 30 days for private or business visits, tourism, scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic, or sporting activities, as well as for transit.

In this sense -and regarding the international arena-, Putin affirmed that the “foreign policy alliance between Moscow and Beijing remains an important stabilizing factor in a context of increasing global turbulence.”

IN THIS ARTICLE