Putin and Xi Emphasize Expanding Strategic Relations During Official Beijing Visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during an official visit to Beijing, where both leaders stressed the expansion of bilateral relations across various political, economic, and strategic domains. Concurrently, Xinhua News Agency reported that the two countries have extended their Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation.

During the meeting, Putin referred to Xi as his “dear friend,” stating that Moscow-Beijing relations have reached an unprecedented level and have become a model of genuine strategic partnership. He added that the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation has been the foundation for expanding cooperation in all sectors, with trade volume between the two countries increasing 30-fold over the past 25 years.

In response, President Xi addressed Putin as an “old friend,” emphasizing that Beijing and Moscow determine the path for strengthening relations based on mutual respect and shared interests. He pointed to the current global context, noting that the international community faces divisions and instability, while China-Russia relations have reached an advanced level due to mutual political trust.

Xi Jinping also called for the establishment of a fairer system in global governance and warned that the world faces the risk of sliding toward a “law of the jungle.” Regarding developments in the Middle East, he stated that negotiations play a crucial role and urged an end to conflicts. According to him, the situation in the region and the Persian Gulf is at a sensitive stage between war and peace, making a complete ceasefire and preventing the resumption of hostilities essential.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Putin invited his Chinese counterpart to make an official visit to Russia in 2027, an action seen as indicative of the ongoing high-level political engagement between the two nations.