‘Russia and China: 30 years of strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation’

09/06/2026

KUWAIT CITY, Jun 9: In 2026, Russia and China commemorate two major milestones in the history of bilateral relations - 30th anniversary of establishment of strategic partnership of coordination between our two nations and 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation.

Over the last three decades, the Russian-Chinese relations have reached an unprecedented level. They have become a prime example of a modern long-term partnership between two great nations with centuries-old record of neighborship. It is based on trust, equality, harmonious coexistence, respect for sovereignty and consideration of each other's core national interests. The distinctive feature of the Russian-Chinese partnership is that it is not bound with ideological tenets and pitted against other stakeholders.

Intensive high-level political dialogue between our leaders plays a central role in setting the direction for the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation. The recent summit in Beijing during the 25th visit of the President of Russian Federation to China acquired a special significance. It not only coincided with a jubilee year of the Treaty on Good-Neighborliness, but also resulted in signing 40 documents on bilateral cooperation in various fields.

One of the most notable features of the harmonious Russia-China relationship has been the expansion of trade and economic ties. Since 2001, the volume of bilateral trade has expanded from modest $10 billion to record $240 billion. Our economic cooperation stretches across a wide range of sectors: energy, industry, agriculture, science, transport, space, and digital technologies. Its steady growth has been supported by the use of our national currencies in financial transactions, contributing to greater resilience and autonomy of bilateral trade. The alignment of the Russian Eurasian Economic Union with China’s Belt and Road initiative opens up opportunities for the development of transport, logistics, trade, infrastructure and the strengthening of economic connectivity across Eurasia.

Our humanitarian ties have taken a large-scale character as well fostering mutual understanding and people-to-people connections. The Russia-China Years of Culture gave them an impetus in 2024-2025, featuring hundreds of cultural events. Recently launched bilateral Years of Education in 2026-2027 will further contribute to expanding academic exchanges and strengthening ties between universities and research centers.

Of particular importance is the shared approach to historical memory. Having made a decisive contribution to the victory over Nazism and Japanese militarism and endured an enormous losses, Russia and China stand together against any attempts to revise the outcome of World War II, falsify history or glorify military criminals and their accomplices.

Russian-Chinese cooperation is important not only for our two nations, but also for the International system as a whole. Amidst rising global instability and profound geopolitical challenges Moscow and Beijing advocate the formation of a more just multipolar world order, upholding the central role of the UN, primacy of International law, equal and indivisible security, while rejecting unilateral sanctions, policies of pressure and interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states. These approaches are reflected in our close bilateral coordination within the framework of International and regional organizations such as the UN, BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, G20, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation and others.

A quarter of a century on, we can say with confidence that the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation has successfully withstood the test of time. It has become a reliable foundation for development of the strategic partnership between Russia and China in a new century. Its 25th anniversary is not only a memorable date, but also a testament for maturity and resilience of the Russian-Chinese relations aimed at fulfilling the common aspiration of our peoples and contributing to global stability and universal prosperity.

Joint article by Ambassadors of Russia (H.E. Mr. Vladimir Zheltov) and China (H.E. Mr. Yang Xin)