Xi Jinping and Putin Praise the Deepening of Their Bilateral Relationship

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin praised progress in their strategic partnership as they met in Beijing, the Chinese capital. Xi said the two countries should focus on a long-term strategy and promote a global governance system that is ‘fairer and more reasonable’, according to a transcript released by Chinese state press agency Xinhua. ‘The reason the China-Russia relationship has reached this level is that we have been able to deepen political trust and strategic cooperation,’ Xi said at the start of his meeting with Putin, AFP reported, on Wednesday (20 May 2026). Putin said their relationship helps to ensure global stability. He emphasised that Russia remains a reliable energy supplier amid turmoil in the Middle East. ‘Even amidst external factors unfavourable to us, our cooperation and economic ties continue to show robust dynamics,’ Putin said, adding that he had invited Xi to visit Russia next year. Putin described Xi as a ‘friend’ and Xi described him as a ‘long-time friend’. Putin’s arrival came as bilateral trade improved after a downturn last year. Two-way trade rose 16.1 percent in the first four months of this year compared with the same period in 2025 in terms of value. Trade between China and Russia was worth 1.63 trillion yuan ($240 billion) in 2025, down 6.5 percent from the record in 2024 and marking the first decline in five years. Putin acknowledged the need to reverse that trend. This signals the importance of China as a vital economic corridor for Moscow, which has been hit by Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine and has hurt its economy. Putin’s visit to China was accompanied by a delegation including a deputy prime minister, several ministers, and heads of state-owned enterprises as well as major banks. The Kremlin has set ‘serious expectations’ for the visit, which comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to China. Around 40 documents are expected to be signed and a 47-page joint statement on strengthening their partnership is slated for release, according to the Kremlin.