🇷🇺🇨🇳 President of Russia Vladimir Putin's remarks during restricted-format talks with President of China Xi Jinping (Beijing, May 20, 2026)

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💬 Vladimir Putin: It would be fitting to use a Chinese saying: “We have not seen each other for one day, yet it feels as though three autumns have passed”. We are indeed very glad to see you. We regularly coordinate our approaches – both personally and through our aides and governments.

I fondly recall how, last year, we had the opportunity to take part together here in the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Second World War.

25 years ago, our countries signed the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation – a fundamental interstate document that serves as the basis for developing cooperation in all areas and remains fully relevant.

Today, our relations have reached an unprecedentedly high level, serving as an example of genuine comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction.

It is no coincidence that our delegation includes most of Russia's Government, as well as business leaders and representatives of public and educational organisations.

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Even amid unfavourable external factors, Russian-China interaction and economic cooperation continue to show strong, positive momentum. Over the past 25 years, trade turnover has grown more than thirtyfold and has confidently exceeded $200 billion for several years in a row.

The driving force of our economic cooperation is Russia-China interaction in the energy sector. Amid the crisis in the Middle East, Russia continues to retain its role as a reliable supplier of resources, while China remains a responsible consumer of these resources.

Our priorities include major joint initiatives in industry, agriculture, transport and, of course, high technology.

Humanitarian ties are advancing at an equally strong pace. Following the successful Years of Culture, the next project will be the Years of Cooperation in Education. This is already our 10th cross-themed interstate project, which we will also launch together today.

An additional impetus for expanding humanitarian contacts was provided by the introduction, on your initiative, dear friend, of a mutual visa-free regime for the citizens of our countries. We will certainly continue this practice.

☝️ Our cooperation in foreign policy is one of the key stabilising factors in the international arena. A complex process is underway to shape a polycentric world based on the balance of interests of all its participants.

Together with our Chinese friends, we uphold cultural and civilisational diversity, respect for the sovereign development of states, and strive to build a more just and democratic world order.

In the current tense international environment, our close coordination is especially important. We are strengthening cooperation at the #UN, #BRICS, the #G20 and other platforms, and will continue our active engagement within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

I am confident that together we will worthily mark the #SCO’s 25th anniversary this year. Over the years, it has become an excellent example of fair and effective problem-solving and promoting integration across our vast common region.

We fully support the activities of China’s presidency of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum this year and, for my part, I would like to confirm my readiness to take part in the APEC Summit in Shenzhen this November.

🤝 And, of course, dear friend, we invite you to pay a visit to the Russian Federation next year.

#RussiaChina