Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday emphasized expanding mutual investment with Russia and reaffirmed Beijing’s strategic commitment to closer ties, even as the global environment grows increasingly uncertain, according to state media reports.
Xi met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, following an earlier discussion between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Mishustin in Hangzhou. During those talks, Li underscored China’s intention to intensify cooperation and jointly defend shared security interests with Moscow.
Mishustin’s visit comes at a critical time for Russia, which faces heavy Western sanctions over its conflict in Ukraine and is striving to counter a recent slowdown in bilateral trade with China. The Kremlin has highlighted the trip as especially important under these circumstances.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, Xi told Mishustin that China-Russia relations have maintained their trajectory toward higher-level and higher-quality development, advancing steadily despite turbulent external conditions. Further development and safeguarding China-Russia relations is a strategic interest for both sides.
Xi identified key sectors for expanded collaboration, including energy, agriculture, aerospace, the digital economy, and green development, positioning them as new engines for growth.
Russian state news agency TASS reported Mishustin emphasized the need for both nations to continue fostering favorable investment conditions and supporting joint initiatives.
Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin previously cemented a “no-limits” partnership just days before Moscow launched its Ukraine campaign in February 2022. Since then, Russia has deepened reliance on China, seeking to offset Western sanctions through record bilateral trade, increased settlements in yuan, and intensified energy cooperation.
However, commerce between the two countries has declined in recent months as China comes under increasing pressure from the United States over trade and technology.
Last month, Reuters reported that China’s state oil firms halted purchases of seaborne Russian crude after Washington imposed sanctions on Russian energy majors Rosneft and Lukoil.
In a joint communique published on the Russian government’s website Tuesday, both sides pledged to bolster bilateral cooperation in all spheres and mount an appropriate response to external challenges. Russia reiterated its position on the “One-China” principle and its opposition to “Taiwan independence.”
